The Ballarat Independent. Diversifying Ballarat's Daily News with Politics, Food, Arts, Events and Reviews

Spyndrift, Otways dynamic dance band serve up a visual feast at Portico on Saturday May 5th

Colin's disability is about the least most interesting thing about him as he's predominantly known as an entertainer. His title of "Australia's Little Giant of Entertainment", Colin was awarded the honour of being named the "Telecom Local Legend for Victoria". Colin new autobiography is a must

This week the Art Gallery of Ballarat launched the Sir Cecil Beaton exhibition to commemorate Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee. Dispersed between the photographs are copies of letters written to Beaton from the royal family, and an audio visual display. These assist the viewer to get a cohesive sens

Ex Parenthesis is a new creative writing journal of short stories, poems, pictures, sketches and reviews to be published quarterly. It will feature the work of local writers and artists, both published and undiscovered.

Lack of funding to the Arts Academy whilst the VCA receives 24 million.

During 2011 a large and somewhat anarchic group formed to discuss and lobby for the arts. The membership of around 500 arts practitioners and supporters grew from facebook discussions about invigorating and nurturing the arts of this region.

The Boy From Oz receives 3 awards from Music Theatre Guild of Victoria

Following the success of the previous Design Exchange Markets it has quickly developed a reputation as a market not to be missed. The Design Exchange is a designer market held three times a year, bringing together emerging designers and contemporary artists from all over Victoria.

Lucinda Horrocks and Jary Nemo of Wind & Sky Productions are gladly on the frontier of the communications transformation that is being unleashed and which allows true journalistic principles to be put into action. They are storytellers of positive stories, of sustainability, social and environme

An extraordinary story about a sex worker and her clients with disability. Nominated for the prestigious Walkley Award for Excellence in Documentary 2011.

A trail of open art studios for visitors to meander along, much like a visit to a winery district, but sampling visual delights. Another alternative for artists to formal galleries, applying for grants, writing applications, and paying both hire costs and hefty commissions to get their work shown. T

There are alternatives for artists to formal galleries, applying for grants, writing applications, and paying both hire costs and hefty commissions to get their work shown.

It's a common error when meeting a successful person for the first time, to assume that they have always been this way. But everybody starts somewhere, usually somewhere small, accumulating experience and growing into the achievements that are so visable. It's the old idea of 'overnight success' tha

There were several themes that came out of the recent Arts Forum. One of these was the difficulty many creatives feel in finding and connecting with other artists. There is perceived to be a lack of opportunity for artists to meet each other. There are no excuses now!

'Nanna-technology' is back in fashion and the arts in Ballarat look set to make a resurgence. Put these elements together and you get the wonderful Ballarat Artisan Festival. Find out how the 2011 Festival went over the weekend and check out some colourful pictures of the event here.

Roll up, roll up, the first weekend in November brings us the three day creative extravaganza that is the Ballarat Artisan Festival.

A roundup of the public art happenings so far and the current paid opportunities available for artists to enliven the Ballarat area.

Ballarat Songwriter's Night, songwriting brilliance showcased online in a 34min Ballarat music TV show. The first time such an array of local songriters had been placed together on the one bill.

Local artists and curators are encouraged to apply for the 2012 Backspace exhibition program. The space is available free of charge and no commission is taken on sales. Backspace arts venue is an exhibition space owned and managed by Council. It provides a professional opportunity for local artists

Earl is a local musician with a difference - his target audience is barely in primary school.  He plays regular gigs around Ballarat and has recently recorded and launched his CD 'Hello Good Morning'.