Talking Difference in Schools Fellowship 2014
Submission Guidelines
GENERAL INFORMATION
As part of the Talking Difference project, Museum Victoria is seeking proposals from
emerging performance artists for an $8,000 Fellowship commencing in February 2014.
The successful applicant(s) will facilitate Victorian secondary school students’
engagement with concepts of race-based discrimination through a series of
performances and workshops and develop a creative project as a consequence.
Applications will be accepted from individuals or groups.
Talking Difference
Talking Difference is now in its fifth year and aims to challenge race-based
discrimination using multimedia. The project is supported by VicHealth’s Arts About Us
program.
The project builds on a strong record of community engagement at Immigration Museum
including the collaborative development of cultural exhibitions, festivals, and coproduced events.
Talking Difference aims to foster the following approaches to challenging race-based
discrimination through the arts:



building empathy by providing the opportunity for students to understand and
reflect on different perspectives of identity and diversity
facilitating intercultural contact
promoting dialogue about race-based discrimination and the broader health
implications for those affected within the community
In its first phase (2010-2012), Talking Difference worked across a variety of communities
and platforms to encourage the creation of digital content including the use of the
Portable Studio installation.
Portable Studio
The Portable Studio is an installation offering audiences the opportunity to respond to
multimedia stimulus material related to race-based discrimination and cultural diversity
with video, audio, drawing or text. The Studio toured public libraries in outer-suburban
Melbourne and regional Victoria in 2011-12. Responses and questions from the first
tours of the studio are available online.
Talking Difference In Schools
The Schools program aims to promote dialogue between students about race based
discrimination and the impact this may have on both the school and broader community.
Students will be provided an opportunity to understand and reflect on different
perspectives of identity and diversity by creating and sharing content using the Portable
Studio.
The studio will tour schools in Brimbank, Casey, Melton and Hume from 2013 to 2015.In
2013 the following schools participated in the program: Essendon Keilor Secondary
College, Overnewton College, Casey Grammar and Hampton Park Secondary College.
In 2014, Sirius College and other schools will be involved.
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Recommended Further Reading:
Talking Difference:
Arts About Us:
http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/talkingdifference
http://www.artsaboutus.com.au/
ELIGIBILITY
The successful fellowship applicant(s) will be an emerging performance artist(s) within
their first 5 years of professional practice. The submission requires a full application
demonstrating relevant skills and experience and an innovative proposal for creative
work that meets the assessment criteria.
The Talking Difference Fellow must also be available on the key dates and central
periods below.
The total amount funded for the fellowship will be $8,000 paid in instalments throughout
the fellowship.
Key Dates
Date
Event
Responsibility
11 February
2014
17 -19
February
26 February
Applications Close
MV
Interviews for Selected Applicants (am)
MV
Talking Difference Website Launch
(6.00pm-8.00pm)
Development and facilitation of four school programs
incorporating at the minimum of:
 one parent /teacher /student community
performance (duration: one hour):
 one series of school /student/teacher
performances (maximum three: one hour per
performance),
 mentoring and facilitation of student
performances via workshops (total maximum
on location hours: eight per school)
Project completion
MV (TD Fellow to attend)
May –
November
Dec
TD Fellow
(32 hours on location over four
school placements)
Scope of Work
The successful fellow will be expected to dedicate 8 hours on location to the project
during school residencies; attend meetings as required, and commit to the planning and
development of the project as specified in the final contract. .
Key fellowship outcomes include the following three elements:


Performing on location at schools and facilitating performance workshops for
students.
Completing an artistic project (consisting of a variety of elements of digital media
and performance), responding to the results of engagement with students and
offering new ways for young audiences to participate in the conversation.
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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Originality of project proposal

Capacity of project proposal to facilitate dialogue with audiences about cultural
diversity

Proven relevant skills and track record

Ability to meet the timeframe

Sound engagement with ethical implications of work produced


Demonstrated capacity to work effectively within a school environment
Demonstrated capacity to work effectively within a large cultural organisation
such as the Museum.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the Museum Victoria Talking Difference Fellowship you will need to submit
each of the documents detailed below.
PART A: Project Proposal
Attach a Project Proposal outlining:

Project description

The ways in which your project will facilitate dialogue about cultural diversity

The ways in which your project will respond to the work of students

The ways in which your project is original

Your project outputs (e.g., public event, series of videos or recordings)

How you will achieve these outcomes (include each of the key stages of
development and a realistic timeline which ensures delivery by December 2014)
PART B: Curriculum Vitae
Attach a curriculum vitae outlining your relevant experience and including contact details
for two referees.
PART C Supporting Material
Attach any supporting material that demonstrates your suitability for the fellowship (eg.
examples of multimedia work, descriptions or reviews of past projects, written references
or letters of support).
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SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Applications close 5pm Tuesday 11 February 2014
Please submit via email to talkingdifference@museum.vic.gov.au or by mail to:
Talking Difference Project Team
c/o Sam Boivin– Immigration Museum
GPO Box 666
Melbourne VIC 3001
Assessment Process
A selection of applicants will be interviewed by members of the Talking Difference
project team between 17- 19 February 2014. The successful applicant will be notified in
By the 25th of February.
CONTACT US
Talking Difference Project Manager
Tatiana Mauri
Community Engagement Manager
Museum Victoria
tmauri@museum.vic.gov.au
+61 3 9927 2751
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