Annual Report 2019

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Contents

Chair and CEO’s Report ...... 3 Programming ...... 5 Arts & Education ...... 6 Highlights ...... 7 On Call and Residency Programs ...... 9 Other Programs ...... 9 Connecting Places ...... 11 Highlights ...... 11 Touring Program ...... 12 Engagement Program ...... 13 Touring Services ...... 15 Highlights ...... 15 Shows Toured ...... 16 Partnerships ...... 20 Highlights ...... 20 Creative Arts Facilitators and Local Government Partners ...... 21 Creative Arts Facilitator Project Highlights ...... 21 Programs and Workshops ...... 24 Membership ...... 26 Marketing and Management ...... 27 Marketing ...... 27 Management ...... 27 Regional Arts Victoria’s Leadership ...... 29 Organisational Governance ...... 29 Organisational Structure as at December 2019 ...... 30 Financial Report ...... 31 Audited Financial Statements ...... 34 Independent Auditor’s Report ...... 34 Income Statement ...... 37 Statement of Financial Position ...... 38 Cash Flow Statement ...... 39 Notes to the Financial Statement ...... 40 Directors’ Declaration ...... 48 Regional Arts Fund ...... 49 Thank you ...... 51

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Chair and CEO’s Report

The Regional Arts Victoria Board in Stratford, 2019. Image courtesy Jes John We kept an eye on the rear-view mirror throughout 2019. It’s always important to maintain a focus on the road ahead, of course. We all want to know where we’re headed. But it’s not every year you turn 50, as Regional Arts Victoria did in 2019. So we indulged ourselves in a backwards glance or two, just to see who might be waving back at us. What we found behind us was extraordinary. The artists, administrators and audiences. The major successes, challenges, and spectacular failures. The kilometers travelled. The big events. The small events. Things that have changed dramatically, and others that remain comfortingly familiar. And everywhere we looked, such incredible people making wonderful things happen in their regions. It is a joy to draw on this history in our current work at Regional Arts Victoria. All through our existing programs you will find, if you know how to look, echoes of what has come before. None of it would be what it is without a cumulative effort over decades. The pages that follow show where all that effort is up to now, and what we as the current custodians of the organisation are contributing to an evolving story.

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To all of you who have contributed to Regional Arts Victoria’s history, and those shaping its future: thank you. We trust our latest Annual Report stands up amongst the 49 that proceeded it. And to those of you 50 years further in future pausing to look back our way: hello. That’s us in the rear-view, and behind, more of us again. Waving.

KATH M MAINLAND CBE JOE TOOHEY CHAIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CEO)

2019 BY THE NUMBERS

Total Audience Total Artists Supported Total Artist Fees Paid Reached

1,227 $1.4M 143,722

Online reach Activity Reach Regional Activity

62,523 417,268kms 85% of total activity

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Programming

Fostering creativity and engaging communities across Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria’s Programming department connects artists and producers to diverse audiences across the country, through three touring program streams:

Arts & Education tours high quality and educationally relevant arts experiences to young people across Victoria from early years through to VCE.

Connecting Places connects with community presenters and tours work to halls across Victoria.

Touring Services works with producers and artists to tour their works to Performing Arts Centres throughout Victoria and nationally. Primarily these touring works are programmed via Showcase Victoria.

Across these three programs, Regional Arts Victoria tours performing arts, live music, theatre, workshops and residency–based projects.

In 2019 the Programming department supported 238 artists & technicians, delivered 405 performances and 119 workshops and travelled 160,334kms. Works across the programs were seen by 48,413 audience members. In 2019, we generated 120 tonnes of CO2 emissions. We are really proud that we offset these in 2019 and will be working on ways our tours to be deemed carbon neutral over the coming years.

Externally the Programming Department partners with organisations for sector development in regional touring. This includes Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) to develop and deliver Showcase Victoria each year; Melbourne Fringe Festival by offering one formal mentorship to a company in the program each year; informal mentorships to regional companies wanting to tour; Footscray Community Arts Centre, Multicultural Arts Victoria and a selection of VAPAC venue managers to form a Culturally Diverse Touring network.

The projects across the Programming department are funded by the following entities:  Creative Victoria through their Touring Victoria fund  Australia Council through their Playing Australia fund  Australian Theatre for Young People  Strategic Projects Initiative  Gandel Philanthropy  Besen Foundation

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Arts & Education

Image: 2019, Clippy Workshops by Playable Streets and Polyglot Theatre. Photo by Glen Walton Regional Arts Victoria’s Arts & Education program tours high-quality and educationally relevant arts experiences to young people across Victoria from early years through to VCE. We work to provide accessible arts experiences and encourage students to participate in the arts as both artists and audiences. We support artists and arts companies to reach Victorian teachers and students, and work to reduce barriers that prevent Victorian students from accessing educationally relevant arts programs.

The Arts & Education program engages young people from early years to VCE, and consists of performances, residencies and workshops which can take place in schools, or clusters, community halls, galleries and performing arts centres, or feature in local events such as festivals, school holiday programs or camps.

We aim to assist young people to dream, innovate, think, connect and collaborate. We are interested in finding ways for their education to be relevant and meaningful – to develop the whole child and recognise their lifelong learning. The positive impact of a high-quality arts program is that it is stimulating and uplifting, increasing motivation and concentration, creative thinking, and social skills from shared experiences.

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Highlights  In 2019 the Arts & Education program delivered 5 On the Road tours, 65 On Call bookings and 3 Residency bookings  The program reached 9,946 students through 68 performances and 136 workshops in 115 schools and venues across the state  Our artists travelled 18,174 kms to schools and venues across the state  The program subsidised ticket prices for 6,426 students across the state  97% teachers agreed the program offered something not usually available in mainstream settings  95% students gained new knowledge, ideas or insight through their participation in the program  Residency programs were a particular highlight this year. A one week residency with Impro Melbourne at Bright P-12 College, where students worked with the Teaching Artists over the week to develop their whole school performance which concluded the program. The process and performance outcome highlighting the value of these deeper engagements. A cluster of six primary schools in the East Gippsland region engaged in a one week residency with Circus Oz and a one week residency with Trash Puppets. These programs demonstrated the commitment from these schools to bring immersive arts experiences to their region and embrace wider sense of communities within the schools’ network  Asanti Dance Theatre presented A Taste of Africa at the Harmony Day Festival in Swan Hill. Artists led a dance workshop with local young people who were then incorporated into the performance at the Festival the following day. A wonderful demonstration of community engagement through the program. Teacher feedback: Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Mark Penzak ‘This may be the best incursion we have had in the last three years. The response was exceptionally good from all students. Teachers were raving about it too! ‘– Adriana Timpani, Performing Arts Teacher, Melton Primary School

Image: 2019, Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Mark Penzak, photo by Tim Bray

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Tours

 Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Mark Penzak completed a two week tour from 27 May – 2 June 2019. The show was performed at 8 different schools for 1076 students from 11 different schools. A performance at Bunyip Primary School was fully subsided by the Australian Children’s Theatre Fund (ACTF), targeting communities affected by the bushfires earlier in 2019  Man in the Mail by Josh Phillips completed a two week tour from April 2019. The show was performed in 8 schools to 892 students from 8 different schools. A performance at Maffra Secondary School was fully subsided by the ACTF, targeting communities affected by the bushfires earlier in 2019  Lights Up! by Long Answers to Simple Questions completed a successful two week tour from 5 August - 16 August 2019. The show was performed 8 times to 839 students from 10 different schools  A Taste of Africa by Asanti Dance Theatre Company completed a successful three week tour from 19 August – 6 September 2019. The program was delivered in 13 schools to 1,934 students from 18 different schools. This tour was extended from two weeks to three weeks  The Koi Fish & the Dragon by National Gallery of Victoria completed a successful three week tour from 28 October – 13 November 2019. The program was delivered in 8 schools to 662 students from 8 different schools

Image: 2019, Lights Up! By Long Answers to Simple Image: 2019, Man in the Mail by Joshua Phillips, photo by Questions, photo by Pippin Davies Hannah Cryle

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On Call and Residency Programs

In 2019 the Arts & Education program delivered 65 On Call bookings and three residencies from our suite of On Call performances, workshops and residencies which included the following:

 Trash Puppets workshops by Trash Puppets  Escape from Trash Mountain by Trash Puppets  Clippy by Playable Streets & Polyglot Theatre  Stack Up by Circus Oz  The Ukulele Kids Show by Woody’ World  Yo-Vj! The Furals  Improvaganza by Impro Melbourne  Drama Impro workshops by Impro Melbourne  Fairytale Cookbook the Show by Impro Melbourne  Fairytale Cookbook workshops by Impro Melbourne  VCE Drama unlocked: Improvisation & Non-naturalism by Impro Melbourne  VCE Drama unlocked: Creating Characters by Impro Melbourne

Other Programs

2019 Joan and Betty Rayner Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation Commission Regional based artist Mark Penzak was awarded the 2019 Joan and Betty Rayner ACTF Commission for the funds of $20,000 for the development of a new theatre based work for primary aged audiences. Mark’s work ‘Toro & Rose’ was developed throughout 2019 and features as part of the now rescheduled 2020 Arts & Education program.

2020 Joan and Betty Rayner Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation Fellowship Throughout 2019 Regional Arts Victoria worked with the ACTF to develop the Joan and Betty Rayner ACTF Fellowship. The Fellowship supports the artistic development of an artists’ practice to the amount of $20,000 and is open to emerging or established artists working in children’s theatre, and to those wishing to diversify their practice into and across the field of theatre for young audiences.

Applications for the Fellowship were open from 11 November 2019 – 31 January 2020 with the recipients Fellowship activities proposed to be undertaken over 2020.

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Partners

 Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation  Australia Council  Helen McPherson Smith Trust  Victoria State Government – Department of Education and Training

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Connecting Places

Image: 2019, The Kutcha Edwards Hour, photo by Fiona Dean

“The Kutcha Edwards Hour was a standout show and left us all with a deeper understanding of the stolen generation” Presenter, King Valley Arts Presents VIC

Connecting Places is a touring and engagement program that supports community presenters to program quality performing arts experiences for their communities and develop sustainable presenting skills. The program offers professional development to community presenters alongside a program of touring works that are accessible and affordable.

Regional Arts Victoria recognises the important contribution made by community presenters by placing them firmly at the helm of programming for their community. We define community presenters as arts councils, halls and mechanics’ institute committees, regional festivals and local shires.

Highlights Across Victoria, the Connecting Places touring program has; • delivered 7 tours reaching 5,661 audience members through 60 performances & 26 workshops across 42 communities • engaged 22 touring artists & technicians • reached 93% of regional or remote audiences.

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Across Victoria, the Connecting Places engagement program has; • offered mentorships to two Community Presenters to support hall rebuilding & technical planning and strategic planning, marketing & branding • delivered regional skills development workshops and one on one planning sessions to a total of 21 participants • finalised the 2020 touring program with 5 companies, including one that is regionally based • grown the Victorian Community Presenter Network Facebook group, for sharing stories and successes, to 102 members from across the state • joined three new Community Presenters to Regional Arts Victoria’s Membership through the Connecting Places program.

Image: 2019, Three Birds One Cock by Three Birds Theatre, photo by Lucy Wilkins “Brilliant show, performances by the three girls was excellent…. What more can I say!! If it’s coming your way, DON’T miss it…” Audience Member, Moyhu VIC

Touring Program

 The Kutcha Edwards Hour by Kutcha Edwards 16/17 February & 16 October – 23 November Victorian and Tasmanian Tour funded by Presenters, Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds and Australia Council via Playing Australia

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 A Little Bit of Blue by Little Wing Puppets 2 April – 2 May Victorian and Tasmanian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

 Stardust / The Mission by The Space Company 13 May – 2 October Victorian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

 Three Birds One Cock by Three Birds Theatre 5 July – 9 November Victorian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

 Varietyville by Varietyville Productions 30 August – 14 September Victorian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

 Loose Ends by Jens Altheimer 9 September – 20 September Victorian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

 Funny Little World by Alyce Platt 29 November Victorian Tour funded by Presenters and Creative Victoria via the Touring Victoria & Small Regional Presenters funds

Engagement Program

Mentorships The mentorship opportunities are offered through an application process, which determines the need from each community presenter. In 2019 we offered the below mentorships:

Tallarook Mechanics Institute, Tallarook, was paired with Birregurra Community Arts Group’s Fiona Brandscheid. Over a series of face-to-face meetings, phone and email contact, they focused on technical planning for the rebuild of the hall after it tragically burnt down in May 2018.

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Bruthen Arts & Events Council, Bruthen, has been working with former Small Town Transformations Manager, Graham Coffey, and Auspicious Arts Incubator’s John Paul Fischbach, who have been working through strategic and marketing planning, with a focus on re-branding their events subcommittee and developing a three year strategic plan. This has carried over to 2020 due to the impact of 2019 summer bushfires in the area.

Workshops In 2019, a mixture of skills development workshops and one-on-one meetings were undertaken, these were:

Yarck Skills Development Workshop included participants from Yarck Mechanics’ Institute & Library, Yea Arts Inc., Arts Council of Mansfield, King Valley Arts Presents.

Birregurra Skills Development Workshop included participants from Birregurra Community Arts Group, Colac Otway Shire Council, The Sound Doctor Presents, The Phoenix Project, Red Rock Regional Theatre & Gallery.

One-on-one or group meetings included participants from ARC Yinnar, Murtoa Mechanics Institute, Willaura Creative, and community members from King Lake.

“Thanks for a wonderful performance - it truly touched our audience and told important, local, and overlooked stories. It was our great privilege to have a large group of Gunditjmara elders present to see their own story brought to the stage.” Presenter, Portland VIC

Image: 2019, Stardust /The Mission, The Space Company, photo by Caleb Plumridge

“Jens combined performance, magic, machines and all kinds of gadgets in his show. Loose Ends was funny, poignant, exciting and enthralling for all who went.” Audience Member, Yea VIC

Image: 2019, Loose Ends, Jens Altheimer, photo by Underground Media

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Touring Services

Image: 2019, the ensemble from By A Thread, photo by Aaron Walker

Touring Services works with producers and artists to tour their works to professionally managed venues throughout Victoria and across Australia. Primarily these touring works are programmed via Showcase Victoria.

Highlights  Delivered 14 tours in total  Delivered 212 performances in Victoria and 59 interstate performances and 21 workshops over 62 touring weeks  Works in the program were seen by 32,806 audience members nationally  Engaged 84 artists and technicians  Had a 73% regional reach across all the performances.

The work of the Touring Services team would not be possible without the funding support we receive from Creative Victoria and the Australia Council for the Arts.

We are also especially grateful for the partnership arrangements and support we receive from the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres, Theatre Network Australia and Performing Arts Connections Australia.

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Shows Toured

 Splash Test Dummies Dummies Corp 22 January - 18 April Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters The Dummies are here with some splish-splashing circus set to drown you in tears of laughter

 Australian Booty Black Honey Company 7 March – 10 May Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Australian Booty is a show about learning how to love yourself

 Picasso and His Dog Lemony S Puppets 20 March – 17 October National Tour funded The Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria and Presenters Picasso and His Dog - for anyone who’s ever patted a dog or been moved by an artwork

 By A Thread One Fell Swoop 20 March – 18 April Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Seven acrobats and 30 metres of rope

Image: 2019, Robot Song, Arena Theatre Company, photo by Bill Conroy

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 Mission Songs Project Jessie Lloyd Music 22 March – 12 July Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Songs from back home

 2019 Regional Concert Series Melbourne Chamber Orchestra

Shostakovich, Raff & Brahms Brio & Passion 27 – 30 March 24 – 25 August Bach Concertos Flute and Harp 3 – 9 May 3 – 13 September Baroque Oboe From My Life 21 – 22 June 17 – 19 October Schubert Mass Mozart the King 27 July 22 – 30 November

Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters A series of concerts delivered by the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra

 Children Are Stinky Circus Trick Tease 11 April – 3 October Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters High energy and great circus skills with a great 90's soundtrack!

 The Wine Bluffs Damian Callinan & Paul Calleja 26 April – 16 November Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters A comedy wine masterclass with Damian Callinan & Paul Calleja

 Robot Song Arena Theatre Company 14 May – 15 July National Tour funded The Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria and Presenters A smart young girl befriends a discarded robot and together they find their true voice

 Swansong Theatre Works 21 May – 10 August Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Swansong is a mighty tour de force monodrama faultlessly executed

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 Hallowed Ground The Shift Theatre 5 – 22 June Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters FOUR WOMEN. MANY STORIES. A CENTURY OF SERVICE

 A Room of Ones Own Sentient Theatre 6 – 23 August Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters An accessible and energetic stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s classic essay on women and fiction

 FoRT Asking for Trouble 22 September – 9 October Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Spectacular acrobatics and poetic visual imagery, celebrating imagination and adventure

 This is Eden Froudist Productions 24 October – 15 November Victorian Tour Funded by Creative Victoria via Touring Victoria and Presenters Sit back, relax and be transported

“Direction brilliant and captured my mind on the edge of my chair... I’m off to find more of Virginia.”

Image: 2019, Carolyn Bock, Mariss O’Reilly, Jackson Trickett and Anna Kennedy in A Room of Ones Own, Sentient Theatre, photo by Henry Choo

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“Sometimes I marvel at the capacity of being absorbed in a theatre piece. This was a brilliant example of that kind of transportation. So glad I was there."

Image: 2019, Andre DeVanny in Swansong, Theatre Works, photo by Robert Catto

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Partnerships

Image: 2019, Find Your Voice Choir, photo by Rodney Harris

The Partnerships department continues to be the touch point for members and regional artists and arts organisations across Victoria. Our four Creative Arts Facilitators have each worked on an exciting array of programs, our Membership arm delivered the final of the Regional Arts Fund Arts Connect series, we continued the delivery of the Regional Arts Fund including a funding tour and Amanda Gibson worked with us to deliver the Victorian Government funding that saw a diverse range of projects reflect on the 10th Anniversary of the Victorian Bushfires. There were some other new faces; we mentored Bronwyn Ward with her work on the ground in the Kinglake Ranges and we welcomed Bianca Winataputri as Marketing Coordinator and Melinda Ballard as Membership Coordinator into the team.

Highlights  Delivery of a Regional Arts Fund (RAF) information session tour across Victoria to assist potential applicants co-presented with Creative Victoria, Australia Council and FRRR  21 Regional Arts Fund Community Grants in two rounds were allocated for a total of $224,698 for Project and Skills Development grants and including new categories in Round 2 for Small Festivals and one Fellowship valued at $20,000  86 Quick Response Grants were distributed for a total of $86,599.60  In 2019, all programs within the Regional Arts Fund involved an estimated 521 artists (paid and unpaid), 104 arts workers (paid and unpaid), 3,457 participants and 91,858 audience members  Delivery of 37 projects for the 10th Anniversary of the Victorian Bushfires Community Arts Grants for a total of $138,028 in 16 Local Government Authority locations

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 Funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund strategic initiative program, the last Arts Connect event was held at the end of 2019. A total of 11 Arts Connect events were held and 55 creative practitioners or cultural leaders were employed to present on a variety of themes. 494 people in total attended the events which were held in Meeniyan, Strathmerton, Wangaratta, Orbost, Cororooke, Rochester, Horsham and Mildura. The program also contributed to other programs including Toolkits (Express Media), Creative Recovery Network training, Ballarat Arts Gallery Guides Conference and Arts Law as part of Skill Up! in Ballarat.

Creative Arts Facilitators and Local Government Partners

The Regional Cultural Partnerships Program comprises collaborations between local, state and federal government to place four Creative Arts Facilitators in four areas of regional Victoria. There are currently nine local government partners.

The regional team’s extensive on-the-ground knowledge is integral to inspiring creative activity, brokering networking opportunities and providing advice to both the communities in regional Victoria as well as staff at the Melbourne office. In 2019 the local government partnerships and staff were:  Kim Bennett, Swan Hill Rural City Council and Gannawarra Shire Partnership. Located in the north-western part of the state, the partnership covers an area of 9,850 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 31,306;  Malcolm Sanders, Ballarat City Council Partnership. Located in central Victoria with an area of 740 square kilometres and a total estimated population of 107,525;  Tim Dakin, Wellington Shire Council. The shire covers an area of 10,817 square kilometres and is home to 44,820 residents; and  Jo Grant, Great South Coast Partnership. This partnership comprises the shires of Corangamite, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians, Moyne and Glenelg Shire Councils. In total it encompasses approximately 22,883 square kilometres and a total estimated population of 103,790.

Creative Arts Facilitator Project Highlights

 Mentoring and awards Swan Hill artist Suzanne Connelly was included in the 2020 Arts and Education program. Suzanne is an Aboriginal master weaver that the Creative Arts Facilitator, Kim Bennett, has been working with in a number of capacities over the last eleven years. A great testament that a [remote] regional artist can be supported to tour with this program.

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DELWP Loddon Mallee Renewable Energy Art Award With support from RAV and input from its Creative Arts Facilitator in Swan Hill – Gannawarra, ten artists from across the region were selected for an exhibition of a collective vision of a more sustainable future for Loddon Mallee communities.

 Skill Up! Skill Up! was developed in 2019 as part of the new Ballarat Cultural City strategy. Malcolm Sanders, Creative Arts Facilitator, was given the task on behalf of the City of Ballarat of designing and project managing a series of workshops that would assist artists and arts workers in the region to develop their skills in making arts a plausible career. Over the course of 2019, nine different workshops have been offered to the community, ranging from beginners’ workshops to more advanced ideas. 190 attendees have come to sessions held at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Ballarat Eureka Centre to hear speakers present workshops on marketing, financial management, arts law, copyright, board governance, selling product online and creating an Artist Run Initiative. A nominal fee was charged for the first few classes, but the remainder were made free for attendees in the middle of the year.

 Creative Industries Strategy In the Great South Coast partnership, Creative Arts Facilitator Jo Grant worked closely with CEO Joe Toohey and the south west project control group to develop the first region-wide Creative Industries Strategy. During 2019 the consultation phase included 14 arts industry sessions, over 70 one-on-one meetings, an online survey and a review of 124 existing policies to develop the strategy. The project control group includes representatives from the five councils in the Great South Coast region, Creative Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Aboriginal Victoria the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism board. The strategy responds directly to developmental needs of the regions’ artists and organisations and will be delivered in the period 2021-25. As part of the process Jo developed case studies of successful projects in the region, for example, Find Your Voice all abilities choir, led by community mentor Kylie Thulborn and lead musician, Tom Richardson. The choir is becoming a leader it its field and has a strong policy of inclusion, and their participation reaches across the region.

 Stratford Courthouse Inc In May 2019 Tim Dakin, Creative Arts Facilitator Gippsland, initiated discussions between Stratford Community representatives, Regional Arts Victoria and Wellington Shire Council regarding The Stratford Courthouse being offered for Sale by the current owner. The community didn’t want to lose the space as a thriving hub for local and touring arts, but they needed to come together to work on a solution. Regional Arts Victoria’s Joe and Tim, facilitated a community consultation to determine the wants of the community and their interests in pursuing opportunities to help them manage the venue. A Stratford community working group was formed and supported by Tim and an unsuccessful funding Expression of Interest was submitted to Creative Victoria. Tim then facilitated a discussion between Wellington Shire Council and the Stratford

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working group and the group were invited to submit a business case to council. The business case was received well by council and some additions and amendments were suggested with the final business case being passed in February 2020. The newly formed committee of management, Stratford Courthouse Inc is made up of current user groups of the venue and is in the process of developing procedures, sub committees and takeover of the venue in July 2020. Regional Arts Victoria will continue to support the transition of the venue into the community’s hands through a physical presence in the space (when allowed) and in professional development opportunities.

Image: 2019, The Stratford Courthouse, photo by The Stratford Courthouse

Regional Arts Fund 2016 – 2020 The administration of the Regional Arts Fund in 2019 was done by Partnerships Coordinator Edwina Guinness. Edwina’s work on the program has led to increased accessibility of the materials including the development of audio guidance materials. A Small Festivals category was introduced in 2019 to enable festivals to employ workers, and a new Fellowship Category saw artist Rosalind Crisp awarded $20,000 over a 12 month period to continue to create and sustain her practice.

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Programs and Workshops

2009 Victoria Bushfires 10 Year Anniversary. $138,028 of funding was delivered for 37 projects across 16 local government areas as part of 2009 Victoria Bushfires 10 Year Anniversary Community Arts Grant Program 2018-2019. Amanda Gibson was employed to support the program and she produced a book and PDF to celebrate the projects.

Information sessions. The Partnerships regional staff conducted numerous face to face information sessions in regional areas to demystify the Regional Arts Fund. Sessions were also held in 2009 fire impacted regions by Amanda Gibson to promote specific funding for those areas. In addition the Partnerships Coordinator organised and delivered a successful funding roadshow from 20-24 May 2019. This consisted of four sessions with Creative Victoria, Australia Council and FRRR in Portland, Kaniva, Warracknabeal and Maryborough.

Arts Connect Series. $187,000 was received in 2017 via the Regional Arts Fund to deliver a Strengthening Local Creative Leadership Program, an expansion of the Regional Cultural Forums across Victoria. In 2019, the last year of this funding was delivered via the Arts Connect Series events throughout Victoria in regions where Regional Arts Victoria does not have Creative Arts Facilitators. Eight events were delivered in 2019 in various locations and Arts Connect also made a $1,000 contribution to Express Media’s Toolkit program to provide targeted support for regional writers’ participation in their program, partnered the delivery of Skill Up! Arts Law in Ballarat and supported the Ballarat Arts Gallery Guides Conference and Creative Recovery Network Lab. Local Governments Authorities contributed to have forums held in their areas. Anna Kennedy delivered these events in the first half of the year and Melinda Ballard continued with this work in the second half of the year. Over the funding period, both Anna and Melinda along with Loraine Little, Greg Hordache and Deb Milligan designed and delivered events. Carolyn Lambert was the inaugural worker who devised the program and set up the format which continued successful as a process for the delivery of all of the events. Regional Arts Victoria thanks the employees who worked on the events, the members and other artists who presented at events and all of the attendees who supported the series and went on to collaborate in various ways as a result of connecting.

Kinglake Ranges. Bronwyn Ward, former Arts Development Coordinator in the Kinglake Ranges region established excellent connections within community and achieved some really great outcomes including the instigation of pub night gatherings for creatives monthly, the development of an arts and cultural strategy and upskilling groups in areas of governance and marketing. This role was managed by Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House and funded by FRRR. Regional Arts Victoria played a mentoring role as part of a working group and Bronwyn was included in all staff gatherings and professional development. Further funding was sought and received by FRRR and Bronwyn is now employed by Regional Arts Victoria as a Project Manager in the Kinglake Ranges.

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Image: 2019, Regional Arts Fund information session at Central Goldfields Gallery in Maryborough, photo by Edwina Guinness

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Membership

Image: 2019, Arts Connect tour at Rochester. Photo by Melinda Ballard

Regional Arts Victoria offers Organisation Membership to incorporated not-for-profit organisations based in Victoria who have the promotion of regional arts or cultural pursuits as a primary or principal focus. Individual Membership is available to practising artists and arts workers throughout Australia.

Numerous art forms are represented across Regional Arts Victoria’s Members, from music and theatre, to film, visual arts, literature and more. In 2019, our Organisation Members reached a combined audience of 752,304 people across 5,594 activities, thanks to the efforts of 9,986 volunteers and 15,504 members of members. Volunteers alone contributed over 349,710 hours of time to the arts.

By the end of 2019, Regional Arts Victoria had 542 Members – 204 Organisations (includes 8 supporters) and 330 Individuals.

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Marketing and Management

Marketing

A key focus for Marketing in 2019 was the delivery and integration of a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Initially used for the membership program, the system is now up and running and being developed to roll out for the Programming team’s use. Catherine French handed the management of the program to Bianca Winataputri who will lead the final stages of the CRM development and will train staff in its use.

Highlights  Delivery of the Salesforce CRM supporting the administration of Regional Arts Victoria members, and better enabling relationship development and tracking throughout the organisation  Redesigning some RAV website pages (Programming and Membership pages)  Restyling e-news to make it more accessible for members and public  Continued storytelling and values-based communication in advertising and promotion of the organisation  Significant media coverage of the Regional Arts Victoria projects.

Key Metrics (1 January – 31 December)  A total of 9,606 page likes across all Facebook pages  9,642 Twitter followers  2,430 Instagram followers  2,465 subscribers to our monthly Regional Arts Victoria ENews  28,506 visitors to the Regional Arts Victoria website.

Management

Founded in 1969, the Victorian Arts Council began its life as an umbrella body of regional arts councils, serving as the Victorian branch of the Arts Council of Australia (now Regional Arts Australia). Initially, the Victorian Arts Council supported performing arts touring, as well as offering resources and support for its affiliated regional arts councils. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the organisation developed in complexity in response to regional art’s needs, and its formal incorporation in 1981 streamlined its business practices.

A comprehensive independent review in the late 1990s undertook valuable work in reflecting on the artistic legacy of the Victorian Arts Council’s first three decades. Its key recommendations centred on the need to create a unique suite of Victorian arts programs, rather than serving as the Victorian branch of the national body. In response, the organisation’s artistic programming in the 2000s developed sophisticated new focuses in education, cultural partnerships, major projects and, of course, touring, in what was fast becoming an increasingly intricate national touring landscape. Government partnerships were strengthened, resulting in REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 – P27

devolved grant relationships with all levels of government, as well as partner-funded Regional Arts Development Officer positions.

Today’s organisation is a company limited by guarantee, rebranded as Regional Arts Victoria in 1999. The organisation broadened its vision and its scope to encompass artists and arts organisations across Victoria, connecting artists and communities. For the previous strategic plan period, Regional Arts Victoria identified three strategic provocations for the next stages of our development:  Reframing Regional Arts Victoria as a robust, sustainable arts organisation with a clear and coherent artistic program;  Defined not by artform, venue, or artist career stage, but by the geographic places of Victoria, fostering and connecting the places where art is made, shared, experienced and discussed;  Infusing a passionate advocacy for the arts across everything we do.

Each of these provocations informs the current strategic plan, with its shift towards a focus on creative practice. Regional Arts Victoria’s current scope encompasses all artforms, all creative practices, and all modes of artistic experience. Across artistic and creative development work spanning five decades, Regional Arts Victoria inspires art across the state.

Director-level staff at December 2019 were:

Joe Toohey Joe brings a wealth of administrative and management experience to Executive Director the role, gained at Footscray Community Arts Centre, SYN Media, (CEO) Express Media, Macleod YMCA and Victoria University. Born and raised in Albury, Joe relocated to Melbourne to attend university and foster the arts. He has a Bachelor of Business (Marketing / Music Industry), and in 2013 he completed his Master of Arts Management at the University of Melbourne following an internship in Singapore, and the Australia Council for the Arts Emerging Leaders Program in 2014. He is currently a Treasurer of the Footscray Community Arts Centre and a Life Member of SYN Media. Joe was General Manager and CEO at Express Media from 2010- 2013, where he led a restructure of the organisation, as well as introducing exciting new partnerships leading to a comprehensive program of literary and developmental offerings for young writers. His past roles at Regional Arts Victoria have included supporting the Cultural Partnerships team and our regionally-based Creative Arts Facilitators, as well as coordinating our State-Wide Project Illuminated By Fire in 2010. Joe is the former Regional Arts Victoria General Manager from 2013.

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Liz Zito Regionally born to Italian immigrant parents, Liz worked for much of Director of her professional life in the north east of Victoria with short contracted Partnerships stints in Melbourne, Hobart and Colac. Liz worked in retail, promotion and event management before moving into arts industry roles which have included Acting Manager of Performing Arts and Conventions and Festivals and Events Coordinator at Greater Shepparton City Council; Manager, Theatre and Function Centre, COPAC Colac Otway Shire; and Executive Officer, SheppARTon Festival. Liz was a board member of Regional Arts Victoria prior to taking on her current role and was the inaugural Chair of the Creative Recovery Network. Liz has an Advanced Diploma of Business Management and a Diploma of Tourism but describes her qualifications as grass roots – learning on the job whilst living, working and playing in regional communities.

Regional Arts Victoria’s Leadership

Chairs Directors 1969 – 1976 David Hamer 1969 – 1971 Neil Case 1977 – 1983 John Riordan 1971 – 1972 Patricia Marshall 1984 – 1988 Gwendolyn Stainton 1973 – 1974 Peter Batey 1989 – 1990 Bill Cook 1975 – 1998 Don MacKay 1991 – 1996 Brian W Hewitt 1998 – 2004 Peter Matthews 1997 – 2002 David Madden 2004 – 2012 Lindy Allen 2003 – 2008 Mike Zafiropoulos AM 2012 – 2017 Esther Anatolitis 2009 – 2013 Dennis Goldner 2017 – Joe Toohey 2013 – 2019 Bruce Esplin AM 2019 – Kath M Mainland CBE

Organisational Governance Regional Arts Victoria is a company limited by guarantee, founded as the Victorian Arts Council in 1969, incorporated in 1981, and rebranded in 1999. We are a not-for-profit company and our Public Fund is listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations as a Deductible Gift Recipient. The members of the Regional Arts Victoria Board serve three-year terms with appointment at the Annual General Meeting held before the end of May each year. The Constitution provides for the election and co-option of Directors. At all times a majority of the Directors of the Company must ordinarily reside in Victoria. Appointments to fill casual vacancies are made from time to time as required, against areas of need identified by the Board.

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Organisational Structure as at December 2019

REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA BOARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CEO) Joe Toohey

DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMMING Liz Zito Vacant

CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAMMING FINANCE COORDINATOR FACILITATORS MANAGER Dom Billings Rosie Dwyer Malcolm Sanders (Ballarat) TOUR COORDINATOR Bindi Green Tim Dakin OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR (Wellington) Rowena Hutson

Jo Grant CONNECTING PLACES (Great South Coast) MANAGER Anna Kennedy Kim Bennett (Swan Hill/Gannawarra) PROGRAMMING COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Adam Fawcett

PARTNERSHIPS COORDINATOR Edwina Guinness ARTS & EDUCATION MANAGER Pippin Davies

PROGRAMMING MEMBERSHIP & OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR COORDINATOR Megan Collier Melinda Ballard

PARTNERSHIPS COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Bianca Winataputri

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Financial Report

Regional Arts Victoria is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in 1969. ABN 24 005 556 025

The Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting held in May each year. The Constitution requires the election of up to six Directors from the membership, and allows the co-option of Directors. Appointments to fill any such casual vacancies are made from time to time as required, against areas identified by the Board.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: STATUTORY INFORMATION The Directors submit herewith the organisation’s balance sheet as at 31 December 2019 and the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2019 and report as follows.

The names of the directors, their qualifications, experience and special responsibilities in office at the date of this report are listed on page 15 of this document.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The organisation’s principal activity since incorporation has been to stage and conduct artistic and theatrical entrepreneurial activities. No significant change in the nature of these activities occurred during the year.

DIVIDENDS No dividends have been paid, declared or recommended since incorporation.

OPERATING RESULTS The surplus for the year is $2,404 (2018: surplus of $11,434). The organisation is exempt from income tax.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS The operations of the organisation during the year are detailed in the various accompanying reports and the results thereof are shown directly above.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS There have been no significant changes in the state of affairs of the organisation.

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS AND EXPECTED RESULTS Regional Arts Victoria is in receipt of Organisation Investment Program operational funding from 2017-21 through Creative Victoria. No significant variations to the 2017-20 Strategic or Operational Plan are planned in 2020. The full COVID-19 impact on the organisation is unknown at the date of this report, though presents a degree of uncertainty through 2020.

DIRECTOR’S SHAREHOLDINGS The organisation is a company limited by guarantee and consequently there is no share capital.

DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS The Board of Directors meets five times per year. Committees are established from time to time to meet specific needs. These include the Audit and Risk Committee, chaired by the Treasurer.

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Regional Arts Victoria has a yearly strategic planning cycle feeding into a four-year strategic plan and yearly business plan, with complementary board and senior staff cycles. The Executive Director as CEO reports directly to the Board, and serves as Company Secretary. Staff performance and development reviews are undertaken annually, and the Executive Director’s performance is reviewed annually by the Board with the participation of senior staff.

The number of meetings attended by each director is listed below.

Director Board First Term Audit Additional Notes Meetings Appointed Expires Committee Attended Meetings Elise 3/5 2015 2021 3/5 Armitage Rebecca 5/5 2017 2020 3/4 Brezzi Victoria 5/5 2018 2021 5/5 Crane Bruce Esplin 2/2 2011 2019 1/2 Retired May 2019 AM Kath M 4/4 2019 2022 2/3 Mainland CBE Helen Healy 0/0 2018 2019 Retired March 2019 Jes John 4/5 2017 2020 Emma Jones 5/5 2017 2020 Kaz Paton 5/5 2011 2020 5/5 Greg 3/5 2018 2021 Pritchard Julie Stanley 4/4 2015 2019 3/3 Retired September 2019 Karen 3/5 2015 2021 Whitaker- Taylor

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTORS' BENEFITS During or since the financial year some directors of the company can receive benefits, other than a benefit included in the aggregate amount of emoluments. No directors individually received benefits this year.

REGIONAL ARTS FUND GRANTS The Board has delegated to the Regional Arts Fund Assessment Committee the authority to decide all project and professional grants awarded by the Federal Government under the Regional Arts Fund. Directors or members of Directors immediate family who are employees or associates of individuals or groups that have received grants in 2018 and 2019 are listed below. None of these members played a role in decision-making for these funds.

Director Grant Recipient 2019 ($) 2018 ($) K Whitaker-Taylor Baw Baw Arts Alliance $15,000 - E Armitage Falls Creek Resort Management 12,073 REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 – P32

J John East Gippsland Art Gallery Inc. 3,000

2009 VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES COMMUNITY ARTS GRANTS PROGRAM The Board has delegated to the CEO the authority to decide all 2009 Victorian Bushfires Community Arts Grants, the funds for which are provided by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Directors or members of Directors immediate family who are employees or associates of individuals or groups that have received grants in 2018 and 2019 are listed below. None of these members played a role in decision-making for these funds.

Director Grant Recipient 2019 ($) 2018 ($) K Whitaker-Taylor Baw Baw Shire Council $5,900 -

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENT DECLARATION TO THE DIRECTORS OF REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA The Directors received an independent auditor’s declaration from the auditor of Regional Arts Victoria (refer to page 3). Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board.

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Audited Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report

TO THE MEMBERS OF REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ABN 24 005 556 025

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL REPORT I have audited the accompanying special purpose financial report of REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA which comprises the balance sheet as at 31 December 2019, profit and loss statement, statement of changes in equity and expenditure and cash flow statement for the year ended on that date, a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes and director’s declaration.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL REPORT The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporation Act VIC 2001. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.

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I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

INDEPENDENCE In conducting my audit, I have complied with the independence requirements of Australian professional ethical pronouncements.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ABN 24 005 556 025

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REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ABN 24 005 556 025

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 TO THE MEMBERS OF REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ABN 24 005 556 025

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Income Statement For the year ended 31 December 2019

Note 2019 2018 $ $ OPERATING REVENUE Grants and Sponsorship (including Project & Touring) 4 2,509,367 3,329,230 Project and Touring Sales 1,301,130 1,340,383 Membership Income 205,172 198,936 Sundry and Investment Income 52,912 (10,304)

TOTAL REVENUE 4,068,582 4,858,246

OPERATING EXPENSES Project and Touring Expenses 1,960,363 2,469,972 Administered Grants 464,630 653,069 Salary & Related Expenses 1,299,033 1,359,595 Other Operating Expenses 342,152 364,176

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 4,066,178 4,846,812

NET OPERATING SURPLUS/DEFICIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2,404 11,434

RETAINED EARNINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FINANCIAL 147,851 136,417 YEAR

RETAINED EARNINGS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL 150,256 147,851 YEAR

The income statement should be read in conjunction with the following notes.

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Statement of Financial Position As at 31 December 2019

Note 2019 2018 $ $ CURRENT ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents 5 79,752 364,213 Trade and Other Receivables 6 1,405,924 1,398,427 Investments 7 103,518 181,519 Total Current Assets 1,589,194 1,944,159

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, Plant and Equipment 8 201,042 260,375 Total Non-Current Assets 201,042 260,375

TOTAL ASSETS 1,790,236 2,204,534

CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and Other Payables 9 1,490,136 1,914,577 Provisions 10 115,693 100,731 Total Current Liabilities 1,605,829 2,015,309

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions 11 34,151 41,374 Total Non-Current Liabilities 34,151 41,374

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,639,981 2,056,682

NET ASSETS 150,256 147,851

ACCUMULATED EQUITY Retained Earnings 150,256 147,851

TOTAL EQUITY 150,256 147,851

The balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 December 2019

Note 2019 2018 $ $ Cash Flows from Operating Activities Revenue 4,068,582 4,858,246 Operating Expenses (4,066,178) (4,846,812) Net increase/(decrease) in provisions 7,739 23,836 Non-Cash items 34,180 143,238

Cash Flows from Investing Activities Net acquisition of property, plant, equipment and 68,064 156,147 investments Proceeds from sale of equipment 35,090 10,909

Change in assets and liabilities Net (increase)/decrease in trade debtors (7,497) (374,980) Net increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables (424,441) (158,401)

CHANGE IN CASH BALANCE (284,461) (187,817)

Net increase (decrease) in cash (284,461) (187,817) Cash at beginning of the financial year 364,213 552,030

CASH AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 79,752 364,213

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2019

$ At 1 January 2018 136,417 Surplus for period 11,434 At 31 December 2018 147,851 Surplus for period 2,404 At 31 December 2019 150,256

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Notes to the Financial Statement

For The Year Ended 31 December 2019

Note 1: Corporate Information The financial report of Regional Arts Victoria (the Company) for the year ended 31 December 2019 was authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 27 April 2020. The nature of the operations and principal activities of the Company are described in the Directors’ Report.

Note 2: Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies BASIS OF PREPARATION This special purpose financial report has been prepared for distribution to Members and Directors of Regional Arts Victoria for information purposes. The accounting policies used in the preparation of this report, as described below, are consistent with previous years, and are, in the opinion of the Directors appropriate to meet the needs of Members and Directors.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE The directors have prepared the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and other professional reporting requirements with the following exceptions as certain disclosures have not been made: AASB 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures AASB 8: Segment Reporting AASB 101: Presentation of Financial Statements AASB 124: Related Party Disclosures and AASB 132: Presentation and Disclosure of Financial Instruments

The accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical costs. The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies adopted by the organisation in the preparation of the accounts.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand and in bank accounts, and money market investments readily convertible to cash within two working days, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Cost and Valuation Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost or at independent or Directors’ valuation. Any surplus on revaluation is credited directly to the asset revaluation reserve and excluded from the profit and loss account. Any gain or loss on the disposal of revalued assets is determined as the difference between the value of the asset at the time of disposal and the proceeds from disposal, and is included in the result of the entity in the year of disposal.

Depreciation Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment, at rates calculated to allocate the cost of the assets against revenue over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation for Motor Vehicles and Office Equipment is calculated at 30% on a diminishing value basis. The website is amortised at 30% on a diminishing value basis.

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INCOME TAX The organisation is exempt from income tax in terms of section 50-45 of the Income Tax Assessment Act.

LEASES Lease payments for operating leases are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Trade receivables, which generally have 30-60 day terms, are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less an allowance for impairment. Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis at an entity level. Individual debts that are known to be uncollectible are written off when identified. An impairment provision is recognised when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect the receivable. Financial difficulties of the debtor, default payments or debts more than 60 days overdue are considered objective evidence of impairment. The amount of the impairment loss is the receivable carrying amount compared to the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate.

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Trade and other payables are carried at amortised cost and due to their short-term nature they are not discounted. They represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the entity prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the entity becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of the purchase of these goods and services. The amounts are unsecured and are unusually paid within 30 days of recognition.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS Government grants are recognised in the balance sheet as a liability when the grant is received. It is recognised as income over the periods necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the costs that it is intended to compensate.

REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the entity and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised: a) Contracted income, interest income and sundry income are brought to account when the Company controls a right relating to the consideration payable. b) Charitable income, including donations and bequests are brought to account on a cash basis which is normally when the Company receives the contribution or the right to receive the income.

UNEARNED INCOME Unearned revenue shown in the accounts will be brought to account as revenue when it is probable that that the economic benefits will flow to the entity.

GST Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST except:

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a) where the GST incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and b) receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the balance sheet.

Cash flows are included in the Statement of Cash Flows on a gross basis and the GST component of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities, which is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority, are classified as operating cash flows.

EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENTS Provision is made for employee benefits accumulated as a result of employees rendering services up to the reporting date. These benefits include wages and salaries, annual leave, sick leave, contracted severance pay and long service leave. Liabilities arising in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave, severance pay and any other employee benefits expected to be settled within twelve months of the reporting date are measured at their nominal amounts based on remuneration rates which are expected to be paid when the liability is settled. All other employee benefit liabilities are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflow to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date. In determining the present value of future cash outflows, the market yield as at the reporting date on national government bonds, which have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability, are used. Employee benefits expenses and revenues arising in respect of the following categories: a) wages and salaries, severance pay, non-monetary benefits, annual leave, long service leave, and other leave benefits; and b) other types of employee benefits are recognised against profits on a net basis in their respective categories.

Note 3: Members’ Liability The organisation is a company limited by guarantee. Under Section 9.1 of the Constitution:

“Every member of the Company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding $50 to the property of the Company in the event of its being wound up while the member is a member or within 1 year after the member ceases to be a member, if required for payment: (1) of the debts and liabilities of the Company (contracted before the member ceases to be a member); (2) of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up; and (3) for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves.”

$ $ Note 4: Grants & Sponsorship Project Ref 2019 2018

State and Federal Funds

Creative Victoria a) b) c) d) e) 1,369,221 2,026,474 Regional Development Victoria c) 4,500 - La Trobe Valley Authority c) 5,000 - Department of Education & Training b) 37,950 39,100 Regional Arts Australia c) e) 619,108 661,208 Australia Council b) e) 144,655 254,512

2,180,434 2,981,294

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Local Government City of Ballarat c) 52,949 51,407 Corangamite Shire Council c) 16,768 11,425 Gannawarra Shire Council c) 12,347 11,425 Glenelg Shire Council c) e) 16,768 12,425 Moyne Shire Council c) e) 16,942 12,594 Southern Grampians Shire Council c) 16,768 11,425 Swan Hill Rural City Council c) 47,238 45,862 Wellington Shire Council c) e) 47,068 46,697 Warrnambool City Council c) e) 16,942 13,425 Local Government - Other c) e) 7,000 6,000 250,791 222,685

Philanthropic Support Australian Children's Theatre Foundation b) 51,393 45,252 FRRR c) 20,000 - Telstra All-4-Biz Loyalty Fund a) 6,500 - Helen McPherson-Smith Trust b) - 30,000 VicHealth e) - 50,000 a) Individual Donors 250 - 78,143 125,252

Total Grants & Sponsorship 2,509,367 3,329,230

PROJECTS FUNDED BY GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIP $ $ 2019 2018 a) Operational Funds 754,049 753,785 Creative Victoria Telstra All-4-Biz Loyalty Fund 6,500 - Individual Donors 250 - 760,799 753,785 b) Programming Creative Victoria: Touring Victoria 343,000 383,130 Department of Education & Training 37,950 39,100 Australia Council: Playing Australia 104,655 99,512 Australia Council: Catalyst 40,000 65,000 Australian Children's Theatre Foundation 51,393 45,252

Helen McPherson-Smith Trust - 30,000 576,998 661,994 c) Partnerships Creative Victoria – Creative Recovery Program 147,172 52,828 Creative Victoria – South West Strategy 125,000 - Regional Development Victoria – South West Strategy 4,500 -

La Trobe Valley Authority – Stratford Forum 5,000 - Regional Arts Australia – Regional Arts Fund 619,108 511,085 City of Ballarat 52,949 51,407 Corangamite Shire Council 16,768 11,425 Gannawarra Shire Council 12,347 11,425

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Glenelg Shire Council 16,768 11,425 Moyne Shire Council 16,942 11,594 Southern Grampians Shire Council 16,768 11,425 Swan Hill Rural City Council 47,238 45,862 Wellington Shire Council 47,068 45,697 Warrnambool City Council 16,942 11,425 Local Government – Other 7,000 3,000

FRRR 20,000 - 1,171,570 655,572 d) Small Town Transformations Creative Victoria - 575,651 e) Artlands Creative Victoria: Artlands - 261,081 Regional Arts Australia: Artlands - 150,124 Australia Council: Project - 90,000 VicHealth - 50,000 Glenelg Shire Council - 1,000 Moyne Shire Council - 1,000 Wellington Shire Council - 1,000 Warrnambool City Council - 1,000 Local Government – Other - 4,000 - 559,205

Total Grants & Sponsorship 2,509,367 3,684,653

Note 5: Cash and cash equivalents reconciliation $ $ Cash at year end consists of: 2019 2018 Cheque accounts 67,294 254,696 Deposit clearing account (3,545) 4,279 Debit Card Account 14,208 - Investment accounts - 103,442 Public fund account 1,495 1,495 Petty Cash 300 300 79,752 364,213

Note 6: Trade and other receivables Trade Debtors 1,082,523 901,579 Prepayments 324,621 496,848 Other Debtors (1,221) - 1,405,924 1,398,427 Note 7: Investments Equities Held 103,518 181,519

Note 8: Property, Plant and Equipment Bond 13,002 12,967 Property, plant and equipment at cost 465,290 536,567 Less accumulated depreciation (277,250) (289,159) 201,042 260,375 REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 – P44

Note 9: Trade and other payables Creditors 363,354 604,073 Accrued expenses 39,231 29,680 Revenue in advance 277,453 280,124 Grants in advance 791,019 973,174 Other payables 19,080 27,526 1,490,137 1,914,577

Note 10: Provisions (Current) Annual Leave 77,513 65,925 Long Service Leave 38,180 34,806 115,693 100,731

Note 11: Provisions (Non-Current) Long Service Leave 19,771 24,922 Redundancy 14,381 16,452 34,151 41,374

Note 12: Auditors’ Remuneration Amounts received or receivable by the auditors - auditing the accounts 10,850 9,400 10,850 9,400

Note 13: Directors’ Emoluments No director received or was entitled to receive - emoluments.

Note 14: Expenditure Commitments

Leases: In respect of certain operating leases, the company is committed for the following lease expenditure which has not been provided for in the accounts. - not later than one year 83,187 72,707 - not later than two years 83,187 72,707 166,373 145,413

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LIST OF DIRECTORS AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

NAME TITLE and BIOGRAPHY TERM Kath M Chair Kath joined Melbourne International Arts Festival as Executive Director in Mainland 2016 from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, where she had spent seven CBE Co-opted years as Chief Executive. Kath has worked in and around Festivals for over Director 25 years, and acted as a trustee on a number of arts boards including chairing Festivals Edinburgh, the high-level organisation created to take the First appointed lead on the city’s festivals’ joint strategic development. Over her tenure at 2019 the Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival grew in size by 52% with Current term audiences increasing by 27% and breaking the two million ticket sales expires 2022 barrier for the first time in 2014. A card-carrying arts administrator, originally from Orkney, Kath was awarded a CBE for services to culture in Scotland in 2014. She is passionate about the arts, their place in society, and particularly passionate about the unique alchemy that happens at festivals and how this experience is applicable across the world. Kaz Paton Deputy Chair Kaz is was the Manager for the Arts & Culture Department of the City of Greater Geelong and has been instrumental in a number of award winning Co-opted events and major projects in her time in local government. Kaz has been a Director board member of many arts organisations. She was a founding board 2011-2020 member of the Cultural Development Network of Victoria and was Vice Chair of RAV when she was last a board member (co-opted back to the Board in 2011). She is a 2012 Churchill Fellow. Before local government Kaz trained as an actor in Australia and the United Kingdom. She subsequently worked as an actor and community theatre worker both in Australia and overseas including four years as producer, actor and teacher with the National Improvisational Theatre Company in New York. Victoria Treasurer Victoria is an experienced banking professional, having spent the last ten Crane years at ANZ in the Institutional Banking Division. Prior to joining ANZ, Co-opted Victoria practised as a corporate solicitor with Allens Arthur Robinson (now Director Allens Linklaters). Victoria holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of 2018-21 Laws (Hons). Victoria is also on the board of Learning for Life Autism Centre and the President of Alfred Nuttall Memorial Kindergarten. Elise Elected Director Bachelor of Arts – Anthropology and International Development. Elise has Armitage 2015-2021 extensive management and administrative experience in both public and not-for-profit sectors, across Arts, Health and Tourism. Elise has directed and managed many festivals, events and creative projects across Victoria, and is a practicing artist. Rebecca Co-opted Rebecca has degrees and qualifications in law, psychology and business Brezzi Director systems. She is a barrister at the Victorian Bar and has taught in the areas 2017-20 of commercial, administrative and corporate law. Before becoming a lawyer, Rebecca was a senior project manager with the carriage of change management projects in the telecommunications, energy and IT sectors. Rebecca served 5 years (4 as chair) on the board of Express Media, a not for profit organisation promoting young Australian writers. Emma Elected After completing a Bachelor of Music (Jazz), Emma built a career in web and Jones Director e-learning development working in Canberra, London and Melbourne. 2017-20 Experience gained working on many projects during this time led Emma to her current role as a Project Manager specialising in implementing IT systems in large organisations. Emma has a long association with arts organisations and projects in Northeast Victoria, including the King Valley Art Show and four years as deputy chair of Wangaratta Festival of Jazz. Her artistic practice spans music, printmaking and textiles. Qualifications: Bachelor of Music - Jazz Performance 2000 ANU, Diploma Software Development 2002, Dip Project Management 2015.

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NAME TITLE and BIOGRAPHY TERM Jes John Elected Jes John is one of the leading members (and currently the chair) of F.INC, Director which grew from (f)route, a hugely successful localism and community-based 2017-20 arts group in East Gippsland. She is also one of the founding members of Foundry, an arts co-operative retail store + collaborative office space, located in downtown Bairnsdale, which has been operating successfully for three years. Jes is socially-engaged in the best of ways, and has long recognised that art doesn’t always live inside galleries - it is often found within community, and builds strong connections between those regionally. Greg Elected Director Greg Pritchard is a writer, performer and visual artist specialising in Pritchard 2018-2021 conceptual works. He is fond of found spaces, puppetry, shadow, gaffa tape and technology. He has a PhD in Literature (Deakin) and a Master of Art (RMIT) in Shadows and Performance. He has been involved in Regional Arts and with ACT Natimuk for almost two decades. He is a passionate advocate of Regional arts and has established networks across Victoria and NSW. In 2014 he was appointed Artistic Director of the Regional Arts Australia festival Artands Dubbo held in October 2016. He has been a key artist on many of the silo projects that have cemented the reputation of the Nati Frinj Biennale. He is currently working for RANSW as the Artistic Director for ArtState Tamworth, to be held in Nov 2019. Karen Elected Director Karen has been the Cultural Development Officer at Baw Baw Shire since Whitaker- 2015-2021 2007. She was a representative on the Cultural Tourism Victoria Board from Taylor 2008-2012; is a Regional Arts Fund Panel member; (Honorary) Member of the Baw Baw Arts Alliance, and has been involved on the Creative Gippsland Committee since 2004. Karen has a long association with many Community Arts activities in the Baw Baw Shire and also over the wider region through Creative Gippsland and the Gippsland Arts Festival. Karen is a General Director and was appointed in 2015.

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Directors’ Declaration

In the opinion of the directors of Regional Arts Victoria: (a) the income statement is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the results of the organisation for the year ended 31 December 2019. (b) the balance sheet is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the organisation as at 31 December 2019. (c) the statement of cash flows is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the cash flows of the organisation for the year ended 31 December 2019. (d) the statement of changes in equity is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the accumulated funds of the organisation for the year ended 31 December 2019. (e) at the date of this statement there are reasonable grounds to believe that the organisation will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due. (f) The financial statements, notes and the additional disclosures included in the directors’ report designated as audited comply with the Australian Accounting Standards

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Regional Arts Fund

2019 REGIONAL ARTS FUND PROJECT GRANTS Applicant Project Title Amount ($) ROUND 1 Mr Mark Hooper Found Sound Gippsland by Paddock Digital 6,000 Castlemaine Chamber Players Castlemaine Children's Choir and String 6,000 Quartet Baw Baw Arts Alliance Pat, the Dog 15,000 Ms Catherine Wheeler The Big House 3,650 Ms Jenny Peterson Printed Garden, Naturefact Artifact 5,668 Ms Georgia MacGuire Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini Art Exhibition and 15,000 cultural workshop series Ballarat International Foto Biennale Inc Foto Voice: Photographically Documenting 15,000 Residents of Wendouree Punctum Inc Gateway 15,000 Ms Rebecca Vandyk Maternal Journal for Health 3,240

Theatre 451 Inc THE WIFE 14,815

Murtoa Stick Shed Committee of Stick Shed Residency 14,840 Management Mx Karoline Morwitzer As the World is my Witness 6,000

Such As They Are Once and for All 9,072

2019 REGIONAL ARTS FUND FELLOWSHIP Ms Rosalind Crisp Orbost Exhibition Centre artist-in-residence 20,000 (dance)

ROUND 2 Dr Merrilee Moss Running with Emus 14,960 Lake Bolac Eel Festival 2020 Lake Bolac Eel Festival Facilitator 6,000 Mr Luke O'Connor Frankenbikes 15,000 Malmsbury Village Fayre A Fayre Future 6,000 Art is... festival Future surface 15,000 La Trobe University Bendigo Care: art and ethics: an exhibition series 15,000 Mr Clayton Tremlett Anzac Spirits 8,453 Gallery Kaiela Inc TA Kaiela Arts Yurri Wala Woka- Fresh water Country 15,000 Shepparton

TOTAL 244,698

2019 QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS Applicant Project Title Amount ($) Miss Kenita-Lee McCartney Swan Hill Dance group professional $1,500 development at Dupang Festival 2019 Resilience Planning Community of Community Projection Event - Beechworth $3,000 Practice Festival of Change Professional Development opportunity for Mr Joseph Lacey Joseph Lacey with the Aus Shakespeare $1,500 Company Graduate Program Castlemaine Community House Inc The Nesting Project $2,400 Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Open Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Open $3,000 Studios Studios Mrs Belinda Eckermann Ballara Art and Lifestyle Retreat Residency $1,500 Know Your Roots Pacific Creative Leadership Exchange $3,000 REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 – P49

Off the Rails Dunkeld Dunkeld Youth Art Connect $3,000 COLAC NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE ONE STITCH AT A TIME $2,500 Miss Louise Keast Professional development $1,500 Bass Coast Chorale Inc. Sing South Gippsland 3 $3,000 Strengthening relationships between regional Ballarat Choral Society $3,000 choirs. First Look - Attending a Musical Theatre Mr Wade Gregory $750 Writing Workshop A Bundle of Sticks - Performance Mr Jan Wositzky $1,500 Development Chiltern Tourism & Development Inc Into the Forest Projection project $3,000 Mrs Wendy Jagger BigCi Artist in Residency $1,500 Climate Change and Consciousness: Ms Maggie Filor $1,500 broadening my horizons Australian Tapestry Workshop Artist in Ms Lee Darroch $1,500 Residence 38 Language Groups of Victoria Fishcare South West Inc. Blue Hole Mural $2,500 South West Healthcare Grimwade Community Mural $3,000 Ms Jasmine Mansbridge London Opportunities /July 2019 $1,500 Professional Development: participate in the Producer Farm 2019 at Coombe Farm Dr Henriette Kassay-Schuster $1,500 Studios, UK – a structured international residency program for Creative Producers Woolly West Fest Incorporated Perfect Knotty Holey Knitting $3,000 Wonthaggi Citizens' Band Inc. Under the Baton $2,059 Ms Hilary Finch Mudhouse Residency $1,500 Corangamite Arts Inc. Mixed Media Workshop $1,950 Ms Joanne Sisson 'PRESERVE' $1,500 Ms Clare Walton A Living Entity $1,500 Mr James Lawson Vessel Asia Market Development Project $1,341 Warrnambool Organ Festival Chorus Warrnambool Organ Festival Inc $3,000 Bootcamp project Tango Gippsland Special Tango Classes $900 Professional Development - Oratunga Winter Dr Deborah Wardle $1,500 School Tango Gippsland Major Tango Workshop with Ninelle Salem $520 Goulburn Valley Writers Group Inc Ginko with Lysenko (Haiku Workshop) $500 Barengi Gadjen Land Council Aboriginal NATIMUK $3,000 Corporation Ms Rachel Grose Mentorship with Stephen Walsh $1,500 Arts Mildura SALTbody $2,126 Travel to Groundswell - where Art, Farming Ms Tracey Johnson $959 and Science Meet Mr Andrew Kelly The Duckplucker's Son $595 Colac Area Health New Horizons Window at the Court House $3,000 Melba Support Services eTribes $3,000 Federation University Arts Academy The Bridge Project $3,000 Yarra Valley ECOSS Sun Culture Project Launch $3,000

TOTAL $86,560

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Thank you REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA’S SUPPORTERS

Regional Arts Victoria is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the Department of Education and Training, and Regional Development Victoria.

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Regional Arts Victoria Level 3, 370 Lt Bourke St MELBOURNE VIC 3000 GPO Box 1799 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 INSPIRING ART Ph: 03 9644 1800 Fax: 03 9646 3832 ACROSS THE STATE www.rav.net.au

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