Arts Centre Melbourne has today announced it will partner with Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Stage QLD to deliver a $750,000 accredited industry training program for performing arts technical crews. The first of its kind collaboration, funded by the Post-COVID Collaborative Funding Round, builds on Arts Centre Melbourne’s Arts Industry Learning initiative, and Tech Connect training program. The Post-Covid Collaborative Funding Round is a joint initiative of the Sidney Myer Fund, Gandel Foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, The Ian Potter Foundation and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
Tech Connect QLD training builds upon the Tech Connect Victoria program, funded by Creative Victoria, that has delivered training in regional centres including Horsham, Shepparton, Gippsland and Geelong. The Queensland program will provide and deliver accredited industry training that creates sustainable employment pathways for young technical crews within the arts sector to deliver the next generation of theatre technicians. The training model combines formal classroom-based study with structured mentoring in theatres enabling trainees to work alongside the industry’s top technical specialists, directors, designers and performers.
Arts Centre Melbourne’s unique, nationally accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – Arts Industry Learning – will provide training to Technical Supervisors (Certificate IV level) & Trainees (Certificate III level). The RTO will deliver face to face training and assessment requirements over annual 2–3-week designated block training periods with QPAC nominated as the training hub for the first year. For the following years, block training periods will align with Stage QLD conferences in other host/hub venues state-wide.
Arts Centre Melbourne training will also include industry-specific mental health sessions delivered by the Arts Wellbeing Collective (AWC). The AWC brings together the expertise of mental and allied health professionals with industry insights from its members to co-design resources and services that support positive mental health for people working in the performing arts.
For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au
Image: Sharron Cronin
