Public. Open. Space. launches | The Garret podcast | Beyond the governance gaps | Even more poetry lesson plans
And another thing... about the entire arts sector taking Mondays off
Welcome to my words, thoughts and ponderings for July. This enews includes the launch of my debut poetry collection (!!!), an interview with The Garret podcast, my latest arts governance rant, even more poetry lesson plans, and a call for the entire small-to-medium arts, cultural and non-profit sectors to start taking Mondays off.
Public. Open. Space. launches
HUGE thanks to everyone who came along to the Walyalup/Fremantle launch of Public. Open. Space. earlier this month. It was a joy and privilege to share the Fremantle Library stage with Joel Evans, Nyoongar poet Jack Collard, Fremantle Press editor extraordinaire Georgia Richter, and wonderful author and human Laurie Steed (whose own book will be launching next month). My face still hurts from smiling, and my book is now available to order online or to borrow from your local library.
The cross-country book tour continues in Western Australia this week, where there are few tickets left to join me and Kinjarling-based poet Barbara Temperton in conversation on the evening of Thursday 13th July at the Albany Public Library.
Followed by a quick trip to Victoria, where you can join Meanjin editor and arts advocate Esther Anatolitis and I to celebrate the Naarm/Melbourne launch on Thursday 27th July at Readings Emporium, with a reading from guest poet Bebe Backhouse.
And finally, back home to Tarntanya/Adelaide, where the book will be launched by author Jennifer Mills after a reading by special guest poet Dominic Guerrera at Goodwood Books on Sunday 13th August.
Tickets are free but bookings are essential. Events are accessible and family friendly.
The Garret
“I think it's important for writers to bump up against our level of comfort and to question the assumptions and the privilege that we carry with us. That's not always a comfortable process.”
I had a lovely chat with the amazing Astrid Edwards about poetry, arts funding and The Relationship is the Project on The Garret in June. You can catch up with our conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
Beyond the governance gaps
“Past and present board members and those who support our boards—I want to thank you. In the machine of arts, cultural and not-for-profit governance you are one of our most necessary cogs: legislated, expected and required. From statutory authorities to volunteer-run collectives, you underpin all of our work.
The skills you must wield are varied and plentiful, yet your presence, consideration and time receive little or no remuneration—and often little thanks. But your work is a literal gift, an extraordinary, mandated generosity—without which our organisations would not be allowed to exist.”
You can read more of my latest arts governance rant in the Winter edition of Meanjin.
Even more poetry lesson plans
Part 3 of my video tips for teachers, librarians and poetry workshop leaders includes some ponderings on new kid on the digital poetry block: artificial intelligence, which introduces a whole new level of complexity about authorship and accountability.
And another thing…
Finally, my latest ‘and another thing’ vlog calls on Australia’s arts, cultural and non-profit sectors to start taking Monday’s off.
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‘And another thing’ is a Patreon exclusive. If you’d like more of these rants, you can join me as an advocate, ally or accomplice on Patreon from just $2.50/month).