"It is rare to experience a theatre work that transforms an audience consciousness and creates a communal outpouring of emotion and empathy. VOICES was such an event. The acting, content and stylistic expression of this contemporary African story of forced migration due to war was remarkable not only for its authenticity but for the unique affect it had on us the audience."
Robert Draffin
Co-Artistic Director
Liminal Theatre and Performance

 

The Performance
Photo: Lachlan MacDowall

On 17 July, 2009 a remarkable performance at the Grant Street Theatre demonstrated the outcome of a unique partnership between VCAM's Centre for Cultural Partnerships and the Horn of Africa Communities Network.

Comments from audience members:
“The immediacy, power and impact of people telling their stories by showing us what they experienced is so much more revealing than a newspaper article or even a film.”

"I am grateful for the willingness of a group of young Africans to make themselves vulnerable by opening up their hearts to me and trusting that I will embrace their story without reservation. I was uplifted by the mutuality of the meeting."

“Just totally amazing and informative and told with passion that made me want to scream and weep.”

“I was particularly touched by the openness and enthusiasm of the actors; their generosity of spirit manifest in their willingness to share their experiences.”
The Tour
Photo: Lachlan MacDowall

It is planned that Voices will tour regional Victoria late in 2009. For further information about our itinerary or to express your interest in having Voices perform at your local commmunity arts centre or school please contact us on

vcam-ccp@unimelb.edu.au

The Partnership
Photo: Lachlan MacDowall

In 2007, the Centre for Cultural Partnerships at the Faculty of the VCA and Music (VCAM) and the Horn of Africa Communities Network established an Arts Partnership Project. Foundation House had already approached VCAM concerned that the resettlement support they were offering was not reaching young people from the Horn of Africa refugee communities. They were interested to see if a more active, experiential, arts-based program may have greater success in connecting with these young people. At the same time, the Brotherhood of St Laurence had been exploring the concepts of social and community enterprise and suggested that these ideas may be explored further within the framework of this partnership. The initial program objectives were identified as follows:

  • contributing to resettlement through community cultural development and community enterprise
  • capacity building and enhancing artistic skills and creating professional development opportunities for young
  • African artists
  • promoting and celebrating the richness of each Horn of Africa community culture.

These initial objectives evolved through the consultation and planning processes in the early phases of the project to encompass a focus on youth leadership and the exploration of settlement issues through creative expression.

In establishing this partnership, both the Centre for Cultural Partnerships and the Horn of Africa Communities Network committed to a long-term investment, acknowledging that the desired outcomes could not be achieved through a short-term intervention. They also agreed to an empowerment model with a set of principles and protocols that would guide the project as it evolved. These included respect, openness, acknowledging the diversity of cultures, a commitment to cultural exchange and to the discipline of arts practice and to artistic determination.

The program of activities was designed to establish, demonstrate and evaluate the value and impact of:

  • active participation in creative arts as an artistic & community capacity building developmental process;
  • personal and collective professional arts development through the involvement of professional artist and teachers, addressing traditional and contemporary artistic expressions in African drumming, film, dance and
  • music, linked and woven together through the art of storytelling;
  • the alignment of mentors to assist individual and collective inter-cultural awareness and cultural knowledge;
  • and
  • the role and integration of elders as cultural custodians, interpreters and inspirational leaders.
Further Information and contact details