5 December, 2018
Today, CircuitWest revealed its biggest line up of speakers yet with five keynotes and an overseas teaching artist for the extended four days of WA Showcase in May 2019.
The latest two additions announced are Dee Madigan, renowned no-nonsense marketing expert and Dr Doug Borwick, described as a guiding light for non-profit arts organisations joining the all-star cast at the Subiaco Theatre Centre.
Award Winning Borwick is author/editor of Building Communities, Not Audiences: and Engage Now! A Guide to Making the Arts Indispensable and will cover both topics and provide a workshop on applying this thinking. He is one of the USA’s leading advocates for the arts and author of national acclaimed blog, Engaging Matters.
His published work takes readers through a fascinating story from where arts and community were intertwined to modern times where the two have steadily drifted apart. His guide to making arts indispensable makes the point, “simply put, it’s not “about” the art; it’s about the arts’ interaction with people and how the arts benefit them. While this may seem a radical break from current habits of thought about art in the industry, it is essential.”
Well known Gruen panellist Madigan is an award-winning Creative Director with over 20 years’ experience. Responsible for campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands, Madigan will speak on two of the most pressing topics of our time in marketing, Why Creativity Matters, and Marketing – Why assuming people don’t care is the best place to start. Madigan runs her own Advertising Agency, Campaign Edge, and famously said, “idiotic marketers should be sent to the naughty corner for a very long time.”
Teaching artist WT McRae from the new Victory Theatre will join the overseas talent at the conference, coming to work with producers and presenters on their teaching and engagement planning. After more than 10,000 hours in classroom settings teaching theatre, circus, circus yoga, and visual art, WT has developed curriculum and learning opportunities for any setting from classroom to boardroom.
These speakers complete the line up with stars of the 2018 WA Showcase, Dr Bob Harlow, award winning audience development in performing arts researcher from USA and author of Road to Results – Effective Practices in Building Arts Audiences; Lindsey Buller Maliekel – Director of Education for the New Victory Theatre New York – showing how her venue grew attendance at engagement programs by over 300%; and Dr Shona Erskine – psychologist and professional performer who is developing lead edge performing arts solutions in creativity, leadership and mental health.
CircuitWest Executive Director, Ryan Taaffe thanked the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for supporting performing arts in Western Australia by allowing for such a highly credentialed line up of keynotes.
“WA Showcase 2019 is all about story and we have speakers that will help those in performing arts understand and develop their own story, hear and engage their community stories, develop product and hubs for telling stories, managing to stay creative and sane whilst developing the story and finally tell a story that will actually get heard.
These stories will be complemented by the stories told by dozens of WA most imaginative creatives pitching their stories. “
Those who take of the full conference this year will have a range of new and exciting options including half day workshops with two of the keynotes, one on one sessions with all key notes, as well as some innovative new features like the ability for delegates to share their own stories.
CircuitWest’s WA Showcase 2019 will take place over 4 full days including optional workshops. People can find more about WA Showcase and book at http://www.showcasewa.com.au.
ENDS
Contact: Sam Lynch – pm@circuitwest.com.au – 0419971713