Walking the talk | West Wing, Star Trek and semiotic theory at State Library of Victoria | Speaking out against censorship
Plus new Voices from the South, Creative State consultation opens, and more
Organisational ethics: walking the talk
It seems almost everyone is experiencing some level of brokenness or burnout at the moment. In the microcosm, the arts and cultural sector is being torn apart by austerity and precarity, poor governance, risk and crisis management practices, and even worse interpersonal behaviours. Unsurprising, perhaps, given that unfamiliar, shocking or previously unimaginable situations often prompt individuals and organisations to respond in unfamiliar, shocking or previously unimaginable ways.
With artists and companies in crisis, a version of my popular 'and another thing' vlog on how to walk the talk of organisational values is now up on ArtsHub.
SLV as the example you don’t want to be
As a critical friend to the arts and cultural sector, I try not to ‘out’ organisations who haven’t already made headlines. Unfortunately, after a year of record fumbles and fails, that still leaves a lot from which to learn from (with new ones seemingly added every day).
So it’s been deeply disappointing to witness an organisation so many have held in high esteem become the high-profile poster child for poor practice. I looked at the example of the State Library of Victoria for the latest edition of my 'and another thing' vlog.
Speaking out against censorship
I’m in the Albany Advertiser this week talking about my home town’s growing national reputation for intolerance, censorship and hate speech, and the weaponisation of child safety as an excuse to make local children less safe.
The smallest groups are often the loudest, but we can't let our silence be seen as our support. Whether you’re a local, a reader or writer, or ally for free speech, freedom of expression or human rights, we all need to make our voices heard to offset such terrifying normalisation of censorship and hate.
ASAP: Kinjarling/Albany locals can email your local representative to demand they protect the right of all Albany voters and children to express themselves fully, safely and with pride, stand against censorship of libraries, social groups and activities, and insist elected representatives focus on the real challenges facing Western Australians instead.
Non-Albany residents can also have our say by emailing the CEO, Council and Albany Public Library (for which you’re welcome to adapt my template).
BEFORE FRIDAY 24 AUGUST: Lodge a breach of complaint form about Councillor Brough's refusal to undertake recommended workplace inclusivity training (read more from Albany Pride).
MONDAY 26 AUGUST: Attend the Special Elector's Meeting to remind the City of Albany that 'keeping children safe' doesn't come from this sort of ridiculousness and hate.
Please feel free to share this message to encourage others to do the same.
Two new poems in Voices of the South anthology
I have two new poems in Voices of the South, a new collection of writing from Albany-Kinjarling and the Great Southern. Proud that part of each sale goes to the Albany Community Hospice.
Copies are available from Paperbark Merchants or online.
More loveliness about Public. Open. Space.
In addition to the launch loveliness I shared in last month’s enews celebrating one whole year of Public. Open. Space., I am also grateful for all those who’ve taken the time to review my little green book.
“Larsen reminds us that the online world is not a smooth experience of endless flow. Her ‘tinylittlepoems’ are the great command-option-escape/control-alt-delete of our scrolldoms: we pause all processes, reflect and reimagine where we can put our energies right now. Error messages as visual poems; fake news in real tweets; security and privacy and mediated intimacies. ‘The system is corrupt.’ ‘Prove your humanity.’ Larsen re-sensitises us to the enormity of meaning in these words, these world-upturning barn-burning machine-learning words.” - ArtsHub
“Through a fusion of evocative language and thought-provoking imagery, Kate Larsen crafts a compelling exploration of contemporary issues that captivates and challenges readers. The potential of Public. Open. Space. to ignite conversations and kindle empathy makes it a significant addition to the realm of contemporary poetry.” - Writing WA
‘Thought-provoking, insightful, heartfelt … this is poetry at its best. A cultural commentary that gives back to the reader in spades. Laughter, tears, a-ha moments galore. A must-read.’ - Goodreads
Calling all Vic artists, arts orgs and audiences
The Victorian Government wants your thoughts on what the arts mean to you and what they should do to support the State’s arts, cultural and creative sector.
You can have your say on the Creative State consultation by Monday 26 August on the Engage Victoria website.