Almanac: 2020
Highlights of 2020 included the reopening of The Exchange in Carnamah, workshops with Bridget Baldock, our Act-Belong-Commit Creative @ Home program, the unearthing of the Three Springs Time Capsule and a range of great activities at Rocks Laneway in Geraldton.
Message from the Co-Chairs
2020 took off with the official reopening of The Exchange in Carnamah by Hon Melissa Price, MP for Durack, and the establishment of our dedicated artist residency, Artist House VII.
Following the introduction of physical distancing restrictions, we redesigned our programs and launched Act Belong Commit Creative @ Home to allow people to remain active, creative and connected. It was hugely successful and we're thankful to those who helped share it far and wide across Western Australia.
With the easing of restrictions, we launched a reimagined program of smaller outdoor events. We held wonderful Act-Belong-Commit Community Days in Carnamah and Three Springs; and were delighted to contribute workshops and live music to events in Mingenew, Morawa and Perenjori. It was a special honour to have the unearthing of a local Time Capsule as part of our Three Springs event.
Our Act Belong Commit Youth Ambassador, Bridget Baldock, ran engaging workshops across multiple communities and her exhibition Botanical was visited by over 1,500 people at The Bank Gallery in Carnamah!
It was great to build on our Act Belong Commit Young Artist Academy; to deliver a range of live and local, youth studio and wellness activities at Rocks Laneway in Geraldton; and to foster the development of local creative groups Create in Company and Scribes of North Midlands.
Throughout the year we were part of the Regional Arts Network, developing Mid West Arts and unveiling the first iteration of an online Learning Hub and Creative Toolbox to help develop our region's creative sector.
Our many thanks to the volunteers, community members, partners and supporters who supported or participated in our activities during the year. Collectively our efforts have helped foster happier and healthier communities, and vibrant and more connected towns.
– Jane King and Andrew Bowman-Bright
Social + Community Impact
In 2020 our Act Belong Commit Creative Community Program delivered 292 activities encouraging creativity, positive mental wellbeing and vibrant, liveable towns. 9,332 participants and 29,900 spectators engaged with our activities including workshops, performances, exhibitions and events in Carnamah, Coorow, Geraldton, Greenough, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Perenjori and Three Springs. Thank you to all of the partners and supporters who worked with us during the year.