CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE 1 · 2018-08-14 · 5 Agenda – Cultural Services Committee 15 August 2018 #5833586 The Seaman Dan tribute performance was a curated piece of work. The

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Agenda – Cultural Services Committee 15 August 2018 #5833586

CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

15 AUGUST 2018 1

COMMONWEALTH GAMES FESTIVAL 2018 – EVENT REPORT Jess Trolvi | 58/1/1-01| #5769415

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Council acknowledges the success of the Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 and congratulates all community groups, volunteers and other participants.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Commonwealth Games, Festival 2018 was the largest cultural festival seen delivered in the Cairns CBD with over 80,000 people attending, participating and engaging with Festival 2018 events. The feedback received from the media, community and suppliers was overly positive affirming the success of Festival 2018. There were a number of program highlights with each of the creative principals enlisted by the Office of the Commonwealth Games being addressed through the curated program. Overall, the 12 day festival was delivered without any major incidents and the Cultural Services team would like to thank the community for helping to create a successful Festival in Cairns.

BACKGROUND

Council entered into a Funding Agreement with the Office of the Commonwealth Games (OCG) to deliver a 12 day Arts and Cultural Festival as a host city for the Commonwealth Games in April 2018. The State granted Council $1,400,000 (excl GST) to design, manage, secure, market and deliver the Event City Festival in Cairns in accordance with the Creative Principles. A We are QLD grant was received from the Office of the Premier for $20,000 and QLD Arts Showcase Program Grant was received from Arts QLD for $60,000 as contributions towards the Beginnings component Festival 2018. The 12 day Arts and Cultural Festival was intended to create a positive, long lasting legacy for the region through showcasing and celebrating local talent in collaboration with national talent and state arts organisations across the breadth of performing and visual arts.

COMMENTS

Festival 2018 proved very successful, supported by wonderful weather and a diverse program. The festival was the first of its kind to facilitate a 12 day road closure and the calibre of national bands and performing artists.

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Statistics The Festival 2018 program incorporated 90 events over a 12 day span, with 91% of these events being local Queensland based and with 20% incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content. Out of the approximated 400 performers, 87.5% were performers based in the Cairns and Queensland area and 12.5% based nationally. The programming team maintained a strong commitment to developing a curated program that celebrated the region, addressed the creative principals, supported local artists and created new experiences for audiences. 91% of engaged artists and performers came from the Cairns region showing the diversity and talent that exists in the region. This consisted of over 350 local performers, organisations and performance groups ranging from musicians, to dancers to visuals artists and more. The Beginnings performance was the first locally written and produced theatre piece, telling the story of Cairns history. Involving many cultures within the Cairns community, this theatre piece was community cohesiveness and activation at its finest. Road Closure The 12 day road closure received positive feedback, with the businesses involved reportedly making between approximately 10% and 50% additional income and seeing similar numbers in the increase of patronage. Most businesses increased staff capacity through either, extending current staff hours or most employing additional staff to cater for the additional business. The temporary loading zones, delivery schedule, cleaning and delivery service put in place by Council to successfully facilitate and manage the 12 days closure was well received by the businesses who advised everything ran smoothly. Full details on the feedback received for the Festival 2018 road closure have been provided to Councillors. Emergency Services Debrief meetings with suppliers and emergency services acknowledged the success of Festival 2018 and the team’s ability to effectively implement risk assessment procedures and emergency evacuation planning. With no major incidents occurring over the 12 day festival, it was evident that processes and procedures put in place sufficiently managed risk. The feedback received indicated a family friendly festival, where people felt safe but not intimidated. A good synergy between emergency services and event staff allowed for a smooth running and safe event. Program Highlights The Cat Empire attracted approximately 9,000 people to the Cairns Esplanade on

the closing night of Festival 2018. Other high attendance events included Amy Shark, Kate Miller-Heidke, Mau

Power, Bullhorn (Opening Event) and the Seaman Dan Tribute event on the LiveSite.

The Beginnings theatre piece was another highlight. 300+ local community members participated, representing a broad cultural mix from the Cairns community attracting a ‘free ticket’ sell out audience in the newly developed Munro Martin Parklands facility.

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The Seaman Dan tribute performance was a curated piece of work. The event incorporated several high profile local and national artists such as Kate Miller-Heidke, Busby Marou, Christine Anu, Archie Roach, Dubmarine, Bani Brothers, Zennith and Sounds of Austranesia telling the story of this iconic North Queensland treasure through their versions of his popular songs.

The 12 day closure of the main Esplanade road and incorporation of alfresco dining on the street was another major activation and highlight of the festival.

Festival 2018 Creative Principals Indigenous and First Nations Formally opened by both traditional owners; “Mixed Blood” Visual Arts Exhibition showcased 10 high profile indigenous artists; Beginnings, engaged 300+ local community members including indigenous and

Torres Strait Islanders. Strong focus on indigenous history; Thursday Island's Patrick Mau (Mau Power) mentored an emerging local

Indigenous hip hop artist - Iaba Anu; and Jason Glenwright, mentored local emerging Indigenous Laser Designer Dylan

Hamilton-Thompson as well as emerging local Indigenous Lighting Designer, Ebon Love.

Arts and Culture

Diverse smorgasbord of cultural music; Contemporary popular Australian artists; Emerging and local music; High end visual art exhibitions; Bold new work commissions and installations; and Contemporary dance and interactive workshop opportunities. Celebration Massive celebration of the talent and cultural significance for the Cairns region; Opening ceremony event was a great success; and Al-fresco dining area on the Esplanade Road. Quality & Transformation, Change & Balance Each day revealed quality measured against a wide range of artistic genres; Transformation is still taking place; Legacy opportunities for the community participants; Esplanade Road closure, offering opportunities for future key events; Local organisations were commissioned and challenged to create Festival and site

specific work for particular audiences; and Beginnings had a massive transformation and community change effect on the

300+ cast, choir, crew, creative and volunteer team.

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Diversity and Inclusivity Beginnings theatre piece incorporated several diverse community cultural groups; The program included content from Arc Disability Services, Sport and Recreational

Active Living classes which accessed the seniors demographic; and Entire program and its focus were wrapped around touching all members of the

community. OPTIONS:

Option1: (Recommended) It is recommended that Council acknowledges the success of the Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 and congratulates all community groups, volunteers and other participants. Option 2: That Council requests further information to be provided. ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Financial Summary Attachment 2: Attendance Summary Attachment 3: Festival 2018 photos

Stephen Foster Branch Manager Cultural Services

Linda Kirchner General Manager Community, Sport and Cultural Services

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Attachment 1 – Preliminary Financial Summary

Total Expenditure Budgeted Variance

Operating Income

Festival 2018 Grant Received 1,400,000 1,400,000 -

We are QLD Grant Received 20,000 20,000

Arts QLD Grant Received 60,000 60,000

TOTAL INCOME 1,480,000 1,400,000 80,000

Operating Expenses

Employee Costs 373,141 255,822 - 117,319

Marketing Expenses 80,184 77,600 - 2,584

Beginnings' Project 253,590 212,886 - 40,704

Seaman Dan Project 39,413 85,990 46,577

Big Design Project 138,941 165,000 26,059

LiveSite Program 541,960 545,755 3,795

Family Program 48,814 49,800 986

Gallery Project 3,934 6,000 2,066

TOTAL EXPENSES 1,479,975 1,398,853 - 81,122

NET GAIN / (LOSS) 25 1,147 - 1,122

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Attachment 2 – Attendance Summary

LOCATION

SITE TOTAL PER SITE

TOTAL

Cairns

Hub (LiveSite) - Cairns Esplanade Western Event Lawn

67,500

Munro Martin Parklands 3,500

Cairns Art Gallery 7,100

UMI Arts Gallery 100

Tanks Arts Centre 2,190 80,390

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Attachment 3: Festival 2018 photos

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Documents

CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE 1 · 2018-08-14 · 5 Agenda – Cultural Services Committee 15 August 2018 #5833586 The Seaman Dan tribute performance was a curated piece of work. The