RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Buŋgul Sydney Festival 2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Sydney Festival would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Festival takes place, and pay respect to the 29 clans of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge that this land falls within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. We would also like to acknowledge our Darug neighbours in Parramatta. We pay respect to Elders both past and present, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whichever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nation they come from.

INTRODUCTION

Originally launched in 2013, our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outlines our commitment towards improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by creating and fostering an organisational environment that cherishes respect, creates opportunity and builds cultural awareness.

Sydney Festival recognises that Sydney is a vast, complex and exuberant city of cultural contrasts and social diversity, that Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and contemporary cultures lie deep within the city’s identity and are key to an enlightened and progressive festival.

COVER IMAGE: ALWAYS Sydney Festival 2019

2 1 Four Thousand Fish Sydney Festival 2018

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Sydney Festival Reconciliation Action Plan remains our organisation's commitment to ensure that we keep moving forward on this vital issue for our nation.

We are committed to working towards improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by creating and fostering an organisational environment that cherishes respect, creates opportunity and builds cultural awareness.

We will continue to set ourselves new measurable goals, at the same time as maintaining ongoing successful initiatives as part of the ongoing journey for this organisation and our community.

CHRISTOPHER TOOHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Uncle Max performing the smoking ceremony for Festival First Night Sydney Festival 2011.

2 3 Beyond 2020: My Australian Dream Sydney Festival 2020

OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

Sydney Festival’s vision for reconciliation is to formally and informally engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities and to positively contribute to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

WE DO THIS BY COMMITTING TO: • displaying respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures

• offering employment opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

• offering development and presentation opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers

• building cultural awareness and understanding among our staff, stakeholders and audiences of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, achievements and cultures.

Kev Carmody, Sydney Festival 2008. Photo Prudence Upton.

4 5 Proclamation Sydney Festival 2020

Roach, Wesley Enoch, Rachael Maza,Geoffrey and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait work resulted in the most expansive Aboriginal Gurrumul Yunupingu, Kev Carmody, Rhoda Islander artists and their work. and Torres Strait Islander art and cultural Roberts, Richard Bell, Gerry Bostock, Kelton program to date across his five Festivals. OUR BUSINESS Pell, Brook Andrew, Frank Yaama, , Lieven Bertels was appointed Festival Director In 2020 Olivia Ansell was appointed Festival Dr Anita Heiss, Professor Larissa Behrendt, in 2012 with his tenure running from 2013 to Director for 2022 to 2024. As the organisation The biggest event in the city’s cultural calendar, Sydney Festival Lily Shearer, Mark Howett, Rachel Perkins, 2016. As an international visitor Mr Bertels develops strategic plans for this period, an Jacob Nash, the Hon. Linda Burney, Jocob embraced the opportunity provided by Black ongoing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres is a unique and playful celebration of Sydney in summer. Every Boehme, Nathan Maynard, Uncle Jack Charles, Capital to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Strait Islander arts practice will be a core Stephen Page, , Gary Foley, Islander arts practice were at the core of his driver. January it transforms our city with a kaleidoscopic program of Professor Shane Houston, , Ursula four festivals. Yovich, Last Kinection, , performance, art and big ideas. Our Reconciliation Action Plan started in 2013 Sydney Festival has a full time equivalent William Barton, Ghenoa Gela,Trevor Jamieson, Our free and ticketed events cover a multitude and has provided us with clear objectives to of 50–60 staff in any given year. The team Roger Knox and many more. Telling Australian of genres and have ranged from burlesque support our strategy and develop employment curates, plans and presents the annual three- First Nations stories is an extension of our circus to New York rap and from Russian opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait week program of events focused on venues dedication to reflecting the stories of our theatre to traditional Aboriginal and Torres Islander people across all facets of the and audiences in Sydney and Parramatta. country. Strait Islander arts practice. For four decades Festival. The Festival continues to consult The organisational structure of the permanent team promotes good communication, effective the Festival has brought to Sydney outstanding In 2012, with Festival Director Lindy Hume, with local organisations such as Sydney’s ownership by staff members over their areas artists like Björk, Brian Wilson, David Byrne, Sydney Festival heralded a significant shift Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, of responsibility, active support among team Elvis Costello, Grace Jones, Geoffrey Gurrumul in its commitment to its programming of the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres members and a flexible and questioning Yunupingu, Robert Lepage, Sir Ian McKellen, contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Strait Islander Advisory Panel and specific environment where open discussion is and Peter Sellars alongside Islander work by presenting Black Capital, a project-based reference groups and cultural encouraged. some of the world's great companies – The ground-breaking contemporary program of consultants. Wooster Group, Complicite, Cheek by Jowl, diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander In 2015 Sydney Festival was delighted to Sydney Festival's audacious contemporary Royal Shakespeare Company, and the works and ideas, emerging as one of the appoint to its Board of Directors Professor programming position is at the forefront of Schaubühne Berlin to name only a few – to Festival’s most ambitious projects ever – Larissa Behrendt OA Director of Research at arts practice in Australia and up there as one share the Festival with the most exciting artists in scale, scope and in its transformative the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning of the most wonderful festivals in the world. and companies in Australia potential and momentum. During the at the University of Technology Sydney and Sydney Festival relies on a mix of government three-year development period leading to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and Darren Dale Managing Director Blackfella funding; corporate, media and production presentation of Black Capital, Sydney Festival cultures have always held a special place Films. partnerships; as well as philanthropic giving. launched longer term strategies to encourage within the Sydney Festival program. Over the Accessibility is central to the Sydney Festival productive partnerships with Aboriginal and years, the Festival has celebrated and profiled In the same year Wesley Enoch was appointed ethos, which is reflected in a commitment to Torres Strait Islander artists and organisations: the talents of respected artists, leaders and Festival Director with his tenure running across free events, geographic reach to Parramatta to develop new Aboriginal and Torres Strait companies, including Ilbijerri Theatre Company, five Festival from 2017 to 2021. Hailing from and Western Sydney audiences, disability Islander audiences; to commission new , Moogahlin Performing Arts, Stradbroke Island (Minjeribah) and a proud access and the Festival’s ongoing commitment work; and to discover and present emerging Marrugeku, The Pigram Brothers, Archie Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley’s unprecedented to reconciliation. focus on Australian stories, artists and new 6 7 I Am Eora Sydney Festival 2013

OUR RECONCILIATION JOURNEY by the RAP and a commitment to leading the Gudirr, a solo dance piece by Dalisa Pigram 2017 The Festival is proud of the organisational outcomes from its commitment to the RAP including; practical and effective reconciliation with our with visuals by Vernon Ah Kee; City of 2017 Bayala was a centrepiece of the a Welcome To Country protocol document endorsed by the MLALC, Cultural Awareness Training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sydney’s Lawn Library in the Festival Village featured workshops and storytelling by Matt Festival, which also included Let’s Speak for staff, formal acknowledgements at all major events and in leading publications, staff events to We continue and remain ever grateful for Doyle; and both Domain concerts featured Sydney language classes, the installation celebrated NAIDOC Week, secured funding and placements for two paid Aboriginal and Torres Strait the ongoing guidance we receive from the projections of Daniel Boyd’s exquisite History Patyegarang’s Notebooks by Charles Madden Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, is Made at Night. and Lille Madden with Jonathan Jones and Islander internships which resulted in the mapping of clear pathways for employment. Since 2016 the the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres a morning ceremony song by Nardi Simpson organisation has offered designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seasonal employment roles Strait Islander Advisor Panel and respected 2015 and Jacinta Tobin sung by a choir on 26 in programming. Additionally we worked with Arts Ready facilitating two fulltime paid internships in community leaders. Their advice, insight January. Two works from Indigenous theatre and patience were invaluable during the 2015 we presented works by contemporary company ILBIJERRI – Blood on the Dance administration roles in the organisation. development and ongoing implementation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists Floor and Which Way Home – were crowd our RAP. across artforms and contexts: Vicki Van favourites as was the world premiere of The As well as our organisational outcomes, the Festival continues to celebrate and profile the talents of Hout’s Long Grass as part of About an Hour, Season by Nathan Maynard. Senior artist respected artists, leaders and companies through our program. Indigenous art and culture have always held Malthouse Theatre’s Blak Cabaret at the Vernon Ah Kee’s largest ever solo exhibition a special place within the Sydney Festival Festival Village, Anita Heiss and William Not an Animal or a Plant showed at the program. Over the years, the Festival Barton performing with the Sydney Symphony National Art School whilst other performing 2013 has celebrated and profiled the talents of Orchestra at the annual free Symphony in artists engaged with the Yellamundie National respected artists, leaders and companies. The Domain, plus Radical Son and Stiff Gins In July 2013, Sydney Festival launched First Peoples Playwriting Festival. As a special performing at Parramatta Opening Party. highlight to mark the 50th anniversary of the its first RAP. Sydney Festival’s vision for 2014 1967 referendum, 1967: Music in the Key of reconciliation is to formally and informally 2016 engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2014 we were proud to initiate, co- Yes was a sell-out success. Islander artists and communities and commission and produce Black Diggers 2016 sold out shows across several venues 2018 contribute to positive outcomes for in close collaboration with characterised this year’s performance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Company. Further to this, the works by artists from different nations 2018 we continued our commitment to peoples. This relates to our core business Festival was thrilled to present The Shadow across Australia – the intimacy of backyard Indigenous programming through our Blak objectives of consolidating our position King with a cast including Tom E. Lewis, storytelling with Uncle Wes Marne in Fire Out program. My Name is Jimi and My in the ‘arts’ space by presenting high Jimi Bani, Jada Alberts, Selwyn Burns, Bucket, the directorial feature film debut Urrwai saw the expansion of our partnership calibre unique arts projects and developing Frances Djulibing, Rarriwuy Hick, Damion of Stephen Page’s Spear, the physical joy with Belvoir and the storytelling of artists organisational capacity by ensuring we have Hunter, Kamahi Djordon King, Natasha and documentary story of Djuki Mala, the from the Torres Strait. Bayala, our Indigenous a work environment that attracts the best Wanganeen and Bart Willoughby. Aboriginal urgency of climate change explored in language project, saw another sold-out employees. and Torres Strait Islander artists were Marrugeku’s Cut the Sky, the soulful songs series of classes and the moving Baraya also integrated into many other Festival of Kev Carmody, and the fusion of Tiwi song, song project saw close to 300 local choir The Festival’s reconciliation journey is driven programs including: as part of About an dance and jazz music in Tiwi + Jazz. singers perform a song on 26 January that Hour we presented Marrugeku’s Gudirr 8 9 The Vigil Sydney Festival 2019

acknowledged our history and colonial Nations custodianship of this land with Me Why. First Nations Canadian musician Future is Floating and three UTS Big Thinking 2021 and powerhouse violinist Véronique Serret starting points. Tribunal brought the three events and installations at Barangaroo Jeremy Dutcher revivified the music of Forums examining new, inclusive ways to mesmerised and transfixed audiences with Indigenous and asylum seeker experience Reserve. The ALWAYS sculpture – a huge his ancestors with a standing ovation conceptualise Australian national identity, In 2021 Sydney Festival’s Blak Out program Heartland, blending traditional songlines under the same roof and Bambula, with Paul outdoor installation of the declaration performance at City Recital Hall and sold-out First Nations leadership in arts and culture, returned with a well-rounded selection and modern storytelling in a new musical Grabowsky and The Wilfred Brothers, fused ‘Always’ by local Bangarra artist in residence Salon Series show at the Harry and Penelope and what defines a project as First Nations, of theatre, music, dance and art by First collaboration featuring Aunty Delmae lndigenous language and culture with jazz. Jacob Nash – stood to remind visitors that Seidler House, while didgeridoo maestro and further allowed these concepts to be Nations writers, performers and artists. First Barton’s poetry. Following last year’s 250th this land always was and always will be composer William Barton packed the Sydney explored. Nations storytelling was at the forefront anniversary of Captain James Cook’s voyage 2019 Aboriginal land. In sight of the ALWAYS Town Hall Vestibule alongside ‘Dreamtime of the Australian Made 2021 program, to Australia, To Cook Cook or Not (presented sculpture, an overnight vigil was held Opera Diva’ Auntie Delmae Barton and top The 2020 Festival also saw the creation of a with highlights including Bangarra Dance in partnership with Biennale of Sydney) 2019 Sydney Festival’s Blak Out program from dusk on 25 January until dawn on violinist Veronique Serret. The Festival also powerful addition to the national discussion Theatre’s dance performance Spirit: A challenged prevailing historical narratives returned with a diverse celebration of First 26 January. This was a chance for all showcased a wealth of First Nations visual around 26 January – the Procession, a Retrospective 2021 at The Headland outdoor with Festival Director Wesley Enoch, Nations voices across theatre, dance, music Australians to come together by campfire, art, from world-first career surveys and cleansing ceremony, song and dance led pop-up stage and Sunshine Super Girl which comedian Dane Simpson, singer-songwriter and visual art. Dancer and Wiradjuri man hear stories of Country from Elders, reflect new work debuts by Fiona Foley, Vernon by Aboriginal Elders through the streets transformed Sydney Town Hall into a tennis Ngaiire and TV Presenter Matty Webb. The Joel Bray invited audiences to an intimate on the meaning of the day before the First Ah Kee and Taloi Havini to Three Views’ of Sydney. A positive walking experience court for the remarkable story of Evonne 2021 Festival saw The Vigil return for a third encounter with his life story in Biladurang, Fleet arrived, and understand the impact that subversion of colonial coastal defence of reflection, Procession brought together Goolagong. Two decades after thousands year, cementing this tradition of cleansing, performed partly in the nude and entirely colonisation has had upon Australia. On the bunkers, Reko Rennie’s monumental tribute hundreds from Indigenous Australian of Australians walked across the Bridge in reflection and performance on the eve of in a hotel suite. The Sydney Opera House morning of 26 January from 8.30am, the to Indigenous sovereignty REMEMBER ME and Torres Strait Islander communities the name of reconciliation, Burrawa – a Australia Day. played host to Spinifex Gum, a musical Was and Will Be concert featured members and Daniel Boyd’s stunning, 360-degree to celebrate culture in the main street of local Aboriginal word that means “above” or collaboration between Marliya (a choir of of the Marliya choir from Spinifex Gum, video projections VIDEO WORKS at Sydney, as well as thousands of general “upwards” – delivered fresh perspectives While we continue to implement aspects young Indigenous women singing in English storytelling by Elders from local community Carriageworks, Indonesian artist Jumaadi’s public, who accompanied Procession on its on the history of our Harbour City with of the RAP to improve organisational and Yindjibarndi) and The Cat Empire and a performance by Troy Brady. exhibition and shadow play performance, way to Barangaroo Reserve for The Vigil. Indigenous Storytellers leading this inaugural culture, we must not lose sight of our core musicians Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill, with and Pacific-spanning contemporary and In 2020 The Vigil cemented its place as an BridgeClimb Sydney tour. The Festival purpose and the area in which we can musical guests Briggs, Emma Donovan and 2020 traditional art exhibition Wansolwara. On annual 25 January tradition – an overnight showcased a wealth of First Nations visual contribute the most to reconciliation; as a Peter Garrett. Legs On The Wall showcased the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing, opportunity to gather together in reflection art with a line-up that included Carol meeting place of ideas and stories. Through Man With The Iron Neck, an affecting work In 2020, First Nations voices and storytelling sovereignty and new concepts of nationalism on the eve of Australia Day and consider all McGregor, Judy Watson, Archie Moore, commissioning, presentation and conflation written by screen icon Ursula Yovich and were the highlight of the program, with were top of the agenda, with Sydney Festival of the narratives that make up our national Megan Cope, Alick Tipoti and a stunning of ideas, the Festival has its greatest co-directed by Josh Bond and Gavin Robins. many of the Festival’s biggest critical and leading the cultural conversation through identity, from Australia’s Indigenous heritage showcase of work by 30 contemporary First opportunity to instigate change. Sometimes The Bayala program returned for the third commercial successes included theatre Procession, The Vigil and Proclamation. To to its colonial institutions and contemporary Nations artists at the Maritime Museum, this takes the form of a provocation and time, teaching Sydneysiders how to speak performances BLACK TIES from ILBIJERRI complement these works, the Festival also multicultural migration. Thousands came Defying Empire: The 3rd National Indigenous others times artist help us shine a light on their local language; Blak Box – Four Winds Theatre Company and Te Re-hia Theatre, programmed Beyond 2020: My Australian together at Barangaroo Reserve from dusk Art Triennial. First Nations musicians hidden truths. Embedding cultural respect, at Blacktown Showgrounds gave voice to Opera Australia’s musical revival Bran Nue Dream (presented in partnership with UTS), right through until dawn, enjoying dance, took over much-loved local venues in the strengthening relationships and developing stories from Elders and young members Dae, Nardi Simpson’s Black Drop Effect, a panel discussion and oration by Professor poetry and live music performances from Festival’s Allowed & Local series, with sets opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait of Blacktown’s Indigenous community; Black Cockatoo directed by Wesley Enoch Tom Calma AO, a screening of the Adam artists such as Dan Sultan and guests, and from Ngaiire, Christine Anu, Thandi Phoenix Islander people within our organisation will and ALWAYS and The Vigil were hallmark AM, Jane Harrison’s The Visitors, powerful Goodes documentary My Australian Dream, experiencing the resilience, beauty and joy of and Kobie Dee getting audiences grooving fundamentally improve the way in which we presentations at Barangaroo Reserve. Gurrumul Yunupiŋu tribute Buŋgul and and a series of storytelling and language First Nations cultures. in their seats. While over at the Seymour go about being a better meeting place. Archie Roach’s career-spanning concert Tell events at the State Library of NSW. The Centre, didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton Sydney Festival 2019 acknowledged First

10 11 BLACK TIES Sydney Festival 2020 RELATIONSHIPS Sydney Festival is one of Sydney’s most important global meeting places. We want all citizens to participate in, have access to, and feel genuine ownership of, their Sydney Festival. Long-range strategic and respectful partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians are essential to the festival’s relevance in contemporary Australia, its aim to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and audiences, and its ability to leave a lasting cultural legacy on which to build for future generations.

FOCUS AREA Develop deeper, sustainable and more meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, artists and communities.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET Actions items for the period 2022 to 2024 currently under strategic review as the Festival evolves its strategic plans for its next iteration.

RESPECT It is important Sydney Festival respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, lands and histories to maintain its profile as a cultural leader locally, nationally and internationally. By acknowledging the enormous contributions Australia’s first peoples have made to this country and by fostering a sustainable and progressive platform for future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, engagement and employment, Sydney Festival will be able to accurately reflect its time and place in contemporary society. FOCUS AREA Publicly demonstrate the Festival’s recognition and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural practice and create and promote Sydney Festival as a culturally safe working environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET Actions items for the period 2022 to 2024 currently under strategic review as the Festival evolves its strategic plans for its next iteration.

Roger Knox, Sydney Festival 2015. Photo Jamie Williams.

12 13 Salon Series OPPORTUNITIES Sydney Festival 2020 Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, organisations and communities are important to the program and staff development of Sydney Festival if it is to maintain its profile as a progressive, inclusive and socially responsible arts organisation. The growth of a valuable network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and corporate professionals will bring new perspectives and awareness of creative and business opportunities and workplace satisfaction. FOCUS AREA Identify and provide employment and relationship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all Festival departments and develop career pathways for emerging artists and arts workers..

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET Actions items for the period 2022 to 2024 currently under strategic review as the Festival evolves its strategic plans for its next iteration.

TRACKING AND PROGRESS

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET Actions items for the period 2022 to 2024 currently under strategic review as the Festival evolves its strategic plans for its next iteration.

Sydney Festival Launch 2012.

14 15 Level 5, 10 Hickson Road The Rocks NSW 2000 Australia

T +61 2 8248 6500 F +61 2 8248 6599 E [email protected] sydneyfestival.org.au