Shark puppet and otherworldly ‘dinner party' among $3m arts fund winners
Big winners in the inaugural round of the four-year project include Wollongong's Merrigong Theatre Company ($750,000), The Cad Factory, based in Sandigo north-west of Wagga Wagga ($634,000), and Marrickville company Erth ($551,000).
The Creative Futures Fund has handed out nearly $8 million nationwide and will award a further $11 million over the next three years. It follows widespread criticism of the organisation from the arts sector after the sacking and reinstating of Khaled Sabsabi as Australia's representative at the Venice Biennale next year.
Scott Wright, creative director of Erth, which specialises in immersive puppetry-based shows for children said the 'pretty hefty' sum would make a huge difference in how they can present their project, Shark Dive.
'But one of the most amazing things was that it is really more about acknowledgement,' added Wright, who founded the company in 1990. 'We know our peers were on the assessment panel, and it just feels nice to be acknowledged.'
Shark Dive was created for the Sydney Festival two years ago at the Australian Museum.
'We put people in a shark cage and swam a four-metre great white shark puppet around the cage,' said Wright. 'It was sort of tongue in cheek because we were creating the work from a desire for conservation and for better understanding of sharks. We were actually not trying to create fear.'
The cash injection from the Creative Futures Fund will allow Erth to expand the scale of Shark Dive and reach a much larger audience.
'We want to show it to 500 people or a thousand people in an hour as opposed to trying to get 500 people through a day,' said Wright.
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The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'This is mad': Mint launches a new coin on eve of historic series
If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date. If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date. If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Is there any appetite for risk at Creative Australia? And the story behind the art of Emily Kam Kngwarray
Khaled Sabsabi is once again Australia's representative to the 2026 Venice Biennale, after the Board of Creative Australia reversed their previous decision to rescind his invitation. Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, the former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, says that Instead of shying away from controversy, a strong agency would embrace it and work to engage the public. But after an independent review that spoke a lot about risk management, what will happen to Creative Australia's appetite for risk? And Emily Kam Kngwarray is one of Australia's most renown artists and one of the most expensive. This week, a major collection of Kngwarray's art opens at the Tate Modern in London. Featuring more than 70 pieces, it's the first exhibition of this scale of her work in Europe. Danielle MacLean, director of Emily: I am Kam, explores the life, the Country, and the politics behind the art. Our track of the week is Something About A Cake Shop by Stiff Gins. Stories mentioned in the headlines: Sean Combs, aka Diddy, found guilty on two charges, but acquitted on three others Gareth Sansom wins the Sorrento Art Prize Museum of West African Art announces first public exhibition Actor Julian McMahon dies at 56 Actor Michael Madsen dies at 67
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Shark puppet and otherworldly ‘dinner party' among $3m arts fund winners
Eight diverse NSW arts projects have been awarded more than $3m in funding under a new Creative Australia initiative. Big winners in the inaugural round of the four-year project include Wollongong's Merrigong Theatre Company ($750,000), The Cad Factory, based in Sandigo north-west of Wagga Wagga ($634,000), and Marrickville company Erth ($551,000). The Creative Futures Fund has handed out nearly $8 million nationwide and will award a further $11 million over the next three years. It follows widespread criticism of the organisation from the arts sector after the sacking and reinstating of Khaled Sabsabi as Australia's representative at the Venice Biennale next year. Scott Wright, creative director of Erth, which specialises in immersive puppetry-based shows for children said the 'pretty hefty' sum would make a huge difference in how they can present their project, Shark Dive. 'But one of the most amazing things was that it is really more about acknowledgement,' added Wright, who founded the company in 1990. 'We know our peers were on the assessment panel, and it just feels nice to be acknowledged.' Shark Dive was created for the Sydney Festival two years ago at the Australian Museum. 'We put people in a shark cage and swam a four-metre great white shark puppet around the cage,' said Wright. 'It was sort of tongue in cheek because we were creating the work from a desire for conservation and for better understanding of sharks. We were actually not trying to create fear.' The cash injection from the Creative Futures Fund will allow Erth to expand the scale of Shark Dive and reach a much larger audience. 'We want to show it to 500 people or a thousand people in an hour as opposed to trying to get 500 people through a day,' said Wright.
