February - Fabulous festivals in the Year of the Tiger

This February, the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, APT 6, at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane coincides with the Chinese New Year celebrations launching the Year of the Tiger.

Evening lantern festivals, a Dai Loong fire dragon street procession, and dragon boat races will herald both the New Year and festivals across Australia showcasing the best of Australian, Asian, Pacific and international arts and culture.

The Year of the Tiger is associated with courage, daring, and confidence. 2010 is the Year of the Metal Tiger, with Metal bringing additional strength and determination. These attributes - on show during the festivals across the capital cities this month - are sure to be admired and reflected upon by the audiences and passers-by.

New and revised Australian Stories

In addition to our articles on Chinese New Year, Chinatowns and Festivals, please see new and revised articles on:

Contemporary artists

Community radio

New circus in Australia

Monthly call-out

Project: Hope 2010

What are your hopes for 2010? Share your ideas and visions for the new year with Pool. What will you resolve in 2010? What will you work on, how will you live and how will these choices affect your future?

Featured event

The 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art - Brisbane

5 December 2009 – 5 April 2010

The sixth exhibition in the gallery's Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art will include the work of more than 100 artists from 25 countries, including collaborations and collectives, which reflect the diversity of practices across Asia, the Pacific and Australia. More...

Featured website

Circus Oz

Circus Oz was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1978. The Circus Oz show is a rock-n-roll, animal free circus that adults and children can enjoy together, featuring death-defying stunts, acrobatic performances, irreverent comedy and a live band.

Snippets

Design and architecture

culture.gov.au/news/design.htm

LAVA light up Customs House for Chinese New Year with origami tigers - Sydney

11 February - 14 March 2010

Two giant digital origami tigers in orange will be burning brightly in the forecourt of Sydney's Customs House to celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Tiger. More...

Digital media and film

culture.gov.au/news/digitalmedia.htm

First Factual Films Festival - Adelaide

23–25 February 2010

First Factual Films Festival (F4) is a new screening program held during the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) 2010. F4 showcases first films from Australian documentary filmmakers at the start of their careers alongside the first films of legendary documentary masters attending AIDC 2010. More...

Festivals and conferences

culture.gov.au/news/festivalsandconferences.htm

Perth International Arts Festival - Perth

5 February – 1 March 2010

The 2010 Perth International Arts Festival includes a wide variety of events. Artists from Perth and the Great Southern play a special part in the festival, bringing a unique voice to the celebration through theatre, visual art, food, film and crochet! More...

History and identity

culture.gov.au/news/historyandidentity.htm

City of Sydney's Chinese New Year Festival - Sydney

12–28 February 2010

The Sydney Chinese New Year Festival is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia. It includes more than 60 events. More...

Indigenous arts and culture

culture.gov.au/news/indigenousarts.htm

Jimmy Pike, Desert Psychedelic - Brisbane

22 February – 28 March 2010

Desert Psychedelic, curated by Kirsten Fitzpatrick for Artisan in partnership with Desert Designs, features Pike's original prints, textile lengths and the garments produced from his fabric designs. More...

Language and literature

culture.gov.au/news/languageandliterature.htm

Adelaide Writers' Week - Adelaide

28 February – 5 March 2010

In 2010 Adelaide Writers' Week will build on traditions that have evolved over four decades, bringing together writers and readers in a series of readings, debates and exchanges. More...

Performance

culture.gov.au/news/performance.htm

WOMADelaide 2010 - Adelaide

5–8 March 2010

WOMADelaide presents music, arts and dance from around the world with over 500 artists from 27 countries. More...

Resources and funding

culture.gov.au/news/resourcesandfunding.htm

Museums & Galleries NSW (M&G NSW) 2010 Mentorship Program - New South Wales

Entries by 12 March 2010

This Mentorship Program for museums and galleries is an opportunity for paid staff from regional and remote museums and galleries in New South Wales to access expertise and programs in state/national/international cultural institutions for the purpose of professional development. More...

Visual arts and crafts

culture.gov.au/news/visualarts.htm

Step Right Up! The Circus in Australian Art - Sydney

20 February – 26 March 2010

Step Right Up! The Circus in Australian Art looks at 'circus' from a fine arts perspective and explores the many mythologies surrounding the circus tradition. More...

Websites - new

culture.gov.au/news/websites.htm

The Australia Project

February 2010

The Australia Project is asking Australian creatives and the general public to engage in a national debate regarding the current status of contemporary Australian culture. More...

Portal news

The Culture Portal at www.culture.gov.au will close from 1 July 2010. The Culture Portal closure is part of the Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2009-10 announced on 2 November 2009. Enquiries regarding this closure process should be addressed through the Comments and Feedback page, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.