Arts Projects – Community Cultural Development – SA, NSW
Suzannah’s journey as a community arts worker began at a grassroots level in outback South Australia during her early twenties. Over a decade, she contributed to numerous projects, including six years as a Regional Arts Development Officer for Country Arts SA and four years as Artistic Director for d’faces of youth arts in Whyalla. These roles solidified her understanding of community cultural development (CCD) and laid the foundation for her work in community arts development. During this time she was a group recipient of a Minsterial Award (SA Great) for Tourism (Fishy Fringe Festival) and a Ministerial Award (SA Great) for D’faces of Youth Arts.
After taking time off to stay home with her children, Suzannah’s interest in community arts never wavered, and she has returned to working on projects in regional NSW, both with Arts Upper Hunter, and as a freelance community arts worker.
Selected Projects 2024-2003
- Creative Valleys: Curated Cultural Trails of the Upper Hunter – Project Officer with Arts Upper Hunter. Web platform developed with community members and the four LGAs of Dungog Shire, Singleton Shire, Muswellbrook Shire and Upper Hunter Shire. This project is also launch pad for community projects focused on enhancing cultural assets. Funded through the Government of NSW. 2022- present. www.creativevalleys.com.au
- This Here Then Now, Project Coordinator/Arts Upper Hunter; a Museum Activation project with resident artists across three museums, including Dungog Museum, Tocal Homestead and Scone Museum. Funded by the Regional Arts Fund. 2024
- Carmel and Gwen: Twins of the Pioneer Cottage, Project Officer in collaboration with Murrurundi Museum. A short film/documentary about 93-year-old Twins Carmel and Gwen who have been running tours of the Pioneer Cottage in Murrurundi for twenty years. Made by Pretty Amazing Productions. Funded by the Country Arts Support Program, 2023
- LiddellWORKS Project, Project Officer, a joint project between Arts Upper Hunter and AGL Macquarie to mark the historic closure of the Liddell Power Station which occurred in April 2023. Home – LiddellWORKS. Over 12 months 17 artists responded to the history, closure and transformation of the Liddell Power Station, culminating in an exhibition at both Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre and Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. 2022-23
- Positions Vacant, Project Coordinator, Directed by Jo Zealand, Original Theatre production exploring the issue of youth unemployment in regional South Australia. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts
- Licensed To Communicate, Project Coordinator, Directed by Alex BickfordAn original theatre production concerning the impact of online communication of regional youth, Funded by Australia Council for the Arts
- Fishy Fringe Festival, Artistic Director, A community developed weeklong artistic event on the edge of the Whyalla National Snapper Fishing competition, celebrating local art, music, performance and more. Suzannah and her team were recipients of a Ministerial Award for Tourism for this event. This event is now known as Whyalla Unearthed.
- Open Arms 2003 – Project Coordinator, Original community theatre piece exploring the relationship and friendships developed between young people in Whyalla and young detainees in Baxter Detention Centre, near Port Augusta, SA. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Community Benefit SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB) Whyalla City Council.
- Nothing better to do, 2005 – A prominent member of the Whyalla community commented in the media that young mums had nothing better to do than to get pregnant and have babies. This film project, made with young mothers from the community was a response to that comment. Funded by SAYAB, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Whyalla City Council, Country Arts SA
- Nunga dance program – ongoing workshops for Nunga youth in Whyalla with a professional Indigenous dancer, Nikky Ashby, from Adelaide. Two members of the dance group were successful in gaining placements with NAISDA in Sydney.
- Art on Wheels 2006 – Aerosol art program with young people culminated with installation of aerosol art works on car parts into the arid outback surrounds of Whyalla, and photographed by Randy Larcombe. Artists engaged James Cochran (Jimmy C), and Indigenous artist Willy Carbine. Funded by Arts SA, Country Arts SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB), Whyalla City Council and Gordon Darling Foundation.
- The Hip Hop Program, hip hop dance, and hip hop writing and sound production workshops with MC Simplex (sound production Hilltop Hoods) with performance outcomes at festival events.
- Massive Art, Project Coordinator Long term aerosol art program with Artist Jimmy C for youth in Whyalla, focused on skills development, mural painting projects.
- Community Artist Work: Jimmy Melrose Park mosaic mural, Glenelg Foreshore; Streaky Bay bench seats; silk banners, Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln; Cultural Precinct Whyalla mosaic murals.
- Landscape drawing workshops…plein air.