ABOUT THE ACTF
The Australian Children's Theatre Foundation (ACTF) supports the delivery of arts-based programs into primary schools across Victoria as well contributing towards the commissioning of new theatre works for young people aged between 5 and 12. Regional Arts Victoria’s Creative Learning program brings inspiring arts experiences to children and young people throughout Victoria.
Every two years the ACTF commissions a work in development aimed at primary aged school students, The Development Initiative. This $60,000 commission must meet the ideals of the foundation and applies to become part of the Creative Learning Program the following year.
The ACTF is a proud partner of Regional Arts Victoria’s Creative Learning program and supports schools across Victoria to access to the program. We provide subsidies of up to 75% for schools affected by low socio-economic circumstances; remoteness; high numbers of students for whom English is not their first language; bushfire or other disaster; and schools with specific learning needs. To see if your school is eligible contact the Creative Learning team at Regional Arts Victoria.
HISTORY
Joan and Betty Rayner created the Australian Children's Theatre in 1948. Over the years, the Rayner sisters performed in many parts of the world, bringing enormous joy to many children and adults.
More than two million Australian children were introduced to the pleasures of live theatre by attending the widely acclaimed drama, music, mime and puppet productions of the Australian Children's Theatre. The performances by Joan and Betty were always lively, engaging and uplifting, and did much to build bridges of understanding and regard between people of different cultures and traditions. The Australian Children's Theatre also enabled outstanding international artists and companies to perform to delighted audiences in Australia.
In 1993 the Australian Children's Theatre Foundation was created in order to keep alive the aims of the Australian Children's Theatre and to celebrate the achievements of the Rayner sisters.
To date, over 47,000 students have directly benefited from the support of the ACTF.
CURRENT TRUSTEES
Rod Parnell (Chair)
Rod Parnall was formerly a manager with the Department of Education and Training with responsibilities for Arts education amongst other areas. He was trained as a Drama and Media teacher and taught at secondary and tertiary levels. He was responsible for the development and implementation of VCE Drama and Theatre Studies both as writer, Chief Examiner and State Reviewer for both and the development and management of K—10 arts curriculum for Victoria. He currently advises on pre-production film scripts among other related arts activities and volunteers his spare time with refugee support.
Betty Walters
Betty is a retired Junior School Headmistress. She particularly enjoyed focusing on enriching students’ learning experiences by arranging incursions with touring companies as well as excursions to circus, dance and theatre. Betty was also active in the community where she was a mayor and councilor for the City of Box Hill, senior vice-president of Box Hill Hospital and instrumental in establishing Whitehorse Artspace.
Freya Carkeek
Freya works as in-house counsel for a large company, focused on the application of the law to help enable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. She fondly remembers the confidence-building experience of performing as a schoolgirl in plays and musicals in the original Performing Arts Centre at Huntingtower School, built to commemorate the inspiring contributions of Joan Rayner AM and Betty Rayner AM. Freya sees the performing arts as one of the valuable tools a society has to reflect and grow and is delighted to support ACTF’s work with Regional Arts Victoria to give young people access to the joys and horizons unlocked by theatre.
Jo Porter
A theatre producer and consultant in not-for-profit and commercial theatre, Jo was the Co-Producer of Victoria’s inaugural Regional Centre for Culture (2018) and has worked with independent artists as a producer and in mentorship roles. Other roles in Australia, UK and USA have included: CEO of the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Executive Producer of Malthouse Theatre, General Manager of a range of commercial theatre productions and head of creative development at Richard Frankel Productions in New York and Head of Business Development at Really Useful Group in London. A former Chair of Back to Back Theatre, Jo is the current Chair of Chamber Made.
Richard Sallis
Richard Sallis (B.Ed, M.Ed, PhD) is a senior lecturer in drama/theatre education and the Chair of the Theatre Board at The University of Melbourne. He has a long history of involvement in theatre for and with young people and is currently on the Board of the Arena Theatre Company. He is a former President of Drama Australia and the current Director of Publications, for IDEA (the international drama/theatre educators’ association). He is also a playwright, actor and director. His latest play Greatest Love of All (Bird, McConville, Sallis) was performed in Melbourne in late 2018.
Kelly McConville
Kelly McConville is an educator-researcher and Drama Victoria’s Executive Officer, who has deep expertise in the fields of education and arts-based research. She works in partnership with schools, universities, government bodies and the performing arts industry to strengthen arts education statewide. A committed advocate for children’s access to high-quality Drama and Theatre-based learning experiences, Kelly contributes strategic insight, strong partnerships, and sector-wide leadership to the board.
Jennifer Andersen
Bio coming soon
REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA
Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) is deeply grateful to partner with the Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation (ACTF) to support the delivery of our Creative Learning Program, expanding access to arts experiences for children across Victoria.
From Casterton to Cann River, Regional Arts Victoria has been providing educational arts experiences for children and young people across Victoria for over 50 years. Each year we offer a curated suite of performances and workshop programs to schools throughout regional and metropolitan Victoria. Spanning across various art forms, our programs address a range of learning areas and cross-curricular priorities for primary and secondary students, with opportunities for connection and self-expression woven throughout the program.
Our Aim
The Creative Learning Program aims to encourage young people to develop their creativity and enhance awareness of, and participation in, the arts through accessible creative learning opportunities. The program is curated to support positive mental health and wellbeing, celebrating self-expression and learning with curiosity.
Incursion Programs
Our Incursion programs are:
Designed to educate, challenge and delight students from Foundation through to VCE through engaging creative approaches that prioritise truth-telling, enquiry-based learning and positive self-expression.
High-quality arts experiences delivered by professional artists, including award-winning companies, regionally based practitioners and First Nations artists.
Exploratory of themes relevant to young people and aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, with Education Resources available to support curriculum integration.
Flexible in delivery, recognising that every school is different, with RAV’s experienced team working closely with schools to tailor programs to community needs.
Accessible to regional and remote schools, with subsidies available for eligible schools to reduce financial barriers and provide significant support (up to 75% off program fees) for remote or disadvantaged communities.
GOVERNANCE AND POLICY
The Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation (ACTF) is implementing a suite of organisational policies, with additional documents to be published as they are finalised.
CONTACT
Australian Children's Theatre Foundation
c/o Regional Arts Victoria
Ground Floor, 470 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
Phone: 1300 882 531
[email protected]