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[title]The last few months have really made all of us reconsider how we consume culture. Having been largely unable to leave the house, physically going to galleries and performances was off the cards.
While it’s been a trying time for many, it’s also given groups and organisations the push to creatively reexamine how they present works. That’s certainly true of Footscray Community Arts Centre, which has used its time in isolation to create a brand new podcast called FCAC Radio.
Just like everything the arts centre does, FCAC Radio is a podcast series that champions Melbourne’s west, and gives a platform to marginalised voices in the arts. Every episode hands the microphone over to a different creative from one of FCAC’s communities of focus, meaning you’ll hear tales from First Nations, LGBTQIA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse artists, as well as from artists with a disability. So far the podcast has featured the likes of rapper Remi Kolawole, singer JessB, comedian Akwasi Osei-Tutu and visual artist James Hale.
Not to rest on its laurels, FCAC has also used the shutdowns to start FCAC Writes, inviting writers from the west and beyond to submit works. The literary collection features everything from fiction to personal reflections, all of which has the writers explore the implications of the crisis and what it means for their personal, social and political realities.
Also, now that restrictions are slowly lifting, FCAC has launched a series of real-life events (gasp!) that you can look forward to. Don’t worry, the arts centre is being realistic – the events aren’t taking part until a bit later this year, when (hopefully) things are a bit more certain. First up is new exhibition Blak to the Future III (August 4 to October 16), a vision of young Blak artists exploring a decolonised future, as curated by Rosie Kalina.
And while it’s not happening for a while, we’re very excited to see FCAC host a one-off workshop with the extremely talented Queen of Bling herself, Haus of Dizzy (aka Kristy Dickinson). The workshop is happening on Saturday, December 12 and will allow participants to fashion two pairs of Dizzy-inspired earrings. Better still, you can book your place right now.
To stay in touch with what’s happening at FCAC, visit the website.