COVID-19 has, among other things, led to the closure of many arts institutions and events large and small. How long this lasts no one can say, but many are adapting to the new order, with online concerts, digital exhibitions and other ways to reach people.
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Beaver Galleries
One place that was not closed at the time of writing was Beaver Galleries in Deakin. Its current exhibition is Jorg Schmeisser: The journey continues: prints from the family collection. Many of the works are from his family's collection and some have never been on public display. Schmeisser (1942-2012) was born in Germany and had a long international career as an artist and teacher. He was head of printmaking at the Canberra School of Art from 1978 to 1997. The exhibition continues Tuesdays to Sundays from noon until 5pm until April 12 (with limited numbers of people allowed in at any one time). It can also be viewed online: beavergalleries.com.au.
Canberra Museum and Gallery
CMAG is closed until further notice. Information on digital programs being developed for people to view online can be found at cmag.gov.au.
Canberra Repertory Society
Rep has announced its April-May production of Brighton Beach Memoirs has been cancelled and owing to the uncertainty surrounding the bans on 100 or more people indoors, ticket sales will cease. Because of the uncertainty about the duration of the bans, Rep does not know which of its planned productions for the year will go ahead or be cancelled. See updates at canberrarep.org.au.
Canberra Symphony Orchestra
The CSO had to cancel its Llewellyn One concert but filmed a performance of the centrepiece work, Saint-Saens's Symphony No 3 in C minor Op 78, "Organ" Symphony, at Llewellyn Hall without an audience. The concert was conducted by Dr Nicholas Milton and the organist was Dr Joseph Nolan. It can be viewed here.
Canberra Theatre Centre
Canberra Theatre Centre is closed to the public until at least April 19. The closure affects all scheduled performances in the Canberra Theatre, the Playhouse and the Courtyard Studio. The box office and bar will also be closed to visitors. Where possible, affected performances will be rescheduled to later in the year and performances outside the closure period remain on sale. Canberra Ticketing will notify affected ticket holders by email. Canberra Theatre Centre says it is working with the local arts community and ACT Government to develop strategies to support the live performance industry, and to find ways to bring performances to Canberrans. Any decisions regarding extension of the closure will be made in consultation with the government and will be communicated to ticket holders.
CMIF
Since the 2020 Canberra International Music Festival has been cancelled, artistic director Roland Peelman and his team are exploring ways to keep the music going and musicians and arts sector workers employed. The possibilities include live-streaming and rescheduling some events to later in the year. Some people have donated the full value of their tickets or festival passes and other donations are welcome - donations of $2 or more are tax deductible (a receipt will be sent) and all donations over $50 will be acknowledged on the CIMF website and in in the 2021 program. For information on donations, refunds and more visit cimf.org.au.
Craft ACT
The long-running arts association is going to expand online engagement with its upcoming exhibitions, Terra Celestial: Artists-in-residence and Wayfaring. It will activate its online shop, experiment with new ways to connect with the community and provide professional development workshops and advice for members. See: craftact.org.au. Email craftact@craftact.org.au or phone 6262 9333.
Four Winds Easter Festival
The 2020 festival has been cancelled but most of the artists are willing to perform next year so the 2020 artistic program has been postponed and will be presented in 2021 - the 21st festival. The free community concert presented as the first major festival event will be performed on November 13, 2020 at the opening of the 2020 Spring Youth Festival. It is part of the National Museum of Australia's Cultural Connections Program. This year the content of that performance is inspired by the traditional Indigenous stories of the region, as a response to Captain Cook's sighting of the East Coast of Australia, 250 years ago. To contact the festival organisers phone 0409 052 980.
Mamma Mia!
Free-Rain Theatre Company's production of Mamma Mia! scheduled to be at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre in April has been postponed until a date to be advised. theq.net.au.
M16 Artspace
The gallery is closed but its three current exhibitions are viewable online. They are The Cosmos by Domenic Mico, curated by Dr Anni Doyle Wawrzyczak, There's Nothing to See Here by Sally O'Neil and After the Fire by Madeline Young. See: m16artspace.com.au.
National Capital Orchestra
The NCO's concert scheduled for March 29 at the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre including works by Beethoven and Wagner has been cancelled. The NCO hopes to perform it later in the year.
The National Film and Sound Archive
The NFSA will add new content to its website every fortnight and regularly shares contrent through its social media channels. Curated collections include a Skippy online exhibition, sports, film costumes, history and transport (including Daredevil Motorcycle Chariots - sounds intriguing). There's music including Archie Roach and Johnny O'Keefe, material devoted to movies including Crocodile Dundee and Picnic at Hanging Rock, and you can learn about David Gulpilil, circuses and clowns, Ozploitation, and much more. nfsa.gov.au.
