SoVA Down Under: Social and Cultural Explorations in the Visual Arts in , Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 – 3 Aboriginal arts. Your guide will share modern interpretations of rock carvings and discuss the significance of Aboriginal ochre painting, designs and symbology.

Self-guided visit to National Maritime Museum Explore Australia’s national center for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. Learn about Australia’s maritime history by exploring exhibitions and events that connect the stories, objects, people and places that are part of Australia’s narrative.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: Gallery Guided walking tour of The Rocks Exploration guided tour Welcome to Sydney! Accompanied by your local guide The Museum of Contemporary Art contains over 4000 explore the historic Rocks area to learn about Aboriginal works by Australian artists, and is dedicated to exhibiting, Australia, colonialism and convict settlement in Sydney. collecting and interpreting the work of today's artists. The During your tour you will visit the Rocks Discovery Museum Museum collects across all art forms with strong holdings and the tour will conclude with a welcome dinner. in painting, photography, sculpture, works on paper and

Guided Walking Tour on Heritage Observation and moving image, as well as significant representation of Tourism Development works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Explore Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and Manly to learn more about Sydney and the diversity of its Ring in the New Year in style! suburbs. A group lunch in a restaurant overlooking Manly Midnight comes earlier to Sydney than almost any other beach is included in your tour. major international city and it celebrates in spectacular style! The event features one of the world’s largest, most technologically advanced displays of fireworks, lighting and projection. We recommend you get there early to secure a good viewing spot. Take a blanket to sit on and pack a picnic to enjoy the evening with your friends. Remember - throughout this program, you will also have free time to explore the city on your own.

Explore Sydney with your indigenous guide Often described as a highlight of the program, this fascinating guided tour outlines the history of Australia’s Indigenous people. Hear about first contact between Europeans and Aborigines and learn about the way of life for Indigenous people – including initial/tribal ceremonial practices, Aboriginal astronomy, and local bush tucker. Photo credit: Jourdin Oliver, SoVA Down Under 2019 program alumni Your guide will demonstrate the ways different plants are used in Indigenous culture plus you will learn about

Brett Whiteley self-guided tour Royal Botanic Garden Educational Tour The Studio was the workplace and home of Be immersed in the complex workings of Australia’s oldest Australian artist, Brett Whiteley. You have the unique botanic garden, and one of the leading scientific opportunity to experience the atmosphere of his studio - institutions in the world. In addition to learning about the with his unfinished paintings, art equipment and history of the plants and people, this tour will focus on collections of reference books, and the graffiti wall covered indigenous plants and Aboriginal cultural heritage. with quotes and images. The gallery has changing exhibitions of the artist’s works: paintings, drawings, Backstage tour and performance at the Sydney Opera sculpture and graphics borrowed from the Whiteley House Estate, Art Gallery of , and private Go behind the scenes in this world-class performance collections. venue because ‘what you see on stage is only half the story’. You will see first-hand what it’s like inside the orchestra pit, Afterwards visit a hidden treasure of Sydney created by explore inside a dressing room, and hear insider stories and , Brett’s wife and muse. Experience her secrets from your tour guide along the way. You will get a secret garden and much-loved oasis in the heart of Sydney. glimpse into the demanding, passionate, dramatic (and You can relax and simply enjoy the nature and serenity. sometimes scandalous) world of their performers – as your guides impart the stories and insider secrets.

Later that evening, enjoy the performance of La Boheme. Set among the fishnets and fairy lights of 1930s Berlin, this Bohemian love story is one of the most popular productions at the Opera House.

Guided tour of Taronga Zoo You can’t visit Australia without seeing some of Australia’s unique native wildlife! Catch the ferry to the world class Taronga Zoo which cares for 4,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. Taronga believes

Photo credit: Jourdin Oliver, SoVA Down Under 2019 program alumni that through education they can inspire and create behavior change to support species conservation and habitat preservation. Your visit will be led by Lee Hayter Sydney Theatre Company Backstage Tour who has over 17 years’ experience at the zoo. She will give The beautiful, heritage-listed Wharf building on iconic you an insight into all aspects of the zoo’s operations Sydney Harbour is home to the busy Sydney Theatre including the Roar’n’Snore overnight stay program. Company. This is where it all happens - they build sets, paint scenery, make costumes and props, and put on performances. On your tour you will get a taste of what happens behind the scenes, plus, thanks to the Greening the Wharf project, you can learn about why the building is now an inspirational example of environmental leadership. Your tour will be a hands-on, interactive experience providing detailed insight into their vision as a theatre company and the evolution of plays from page to stage. You will investigate all aspects of the production process, from programming and design presentations to set and costume creation, and bump-in.

Later in the week you will view a performance at the Sydney Theatre Company! Program evaluations and wrap-up Group farewell dinner

Day 17 Sydney to US