Art and tech doors open for Next Gen

Practising and aspiring creative entrepreneurs will receive a leg up into future career and business opportunities at the inaugural Art and Tech Fest in Collie on November 10.

The event, which will launch Global Entrepreneur Week, was the result of consultation with emerging community leaders through the Operation Next Gen Collie program, according to project manager Kerry Anderson.

“It has been in the making for the past 18 months, ever since we started Operation Next Gen conversations with a group of emerging leaders,” she said.

“They are very excited about the future and they see arts and tech, in conjunction with entrepreneurship, as a way of getting young people excited about new career and business opportunities.

“This is what the young people of Collie have asked for and the community of Collie has made it happen because we value them — they are a big part of our future.”

Ms Anderson said it would offer young people the opportunity to talk with professionals from a range of creative industries.

“We are challenging all these artists coming to Collie to think to the future — what do they see as the emerging streams and opportunities?” she said.

“By bringing people together, there is a great opportunity for collaboration.

“It is not just a Collie event, it’s for young people in the region to really explore what interests them and find out how they can make a viable career or business out of it.”

The full program of activities will cover visual arts, filmmaking and music disciplines, including a number of think tanks, and will finish with a free community concert and video art projection, all in the centre of Collie.

“The exciting part, and we can’t underestimate this, is Frankensound bringing video imaging to Collie,” she said.

“He has lit up buildings like the State Library in Perth and now he is going to light up the Goods Shed in Collie.”

Budding filmmakers can head along to the Short Film Production Workshop with award-winning filmmaker Richard Todd, while Bunbury-based artist Andrew Frazer will host the Art and Business Workshop.

A diverse panel of music and film industry professionals will take the time to answer questions and discuss emerging opportunities in two Think Tanks, before budding musicians take to the stage in the Open Mic Session.

To register or find out more, visit ongcollie.com.