Polyglot’s April e-news

The new normal

It’s been six weeks since Australia’s lockdown restrictions came into place, and it’s slowly starting to feel like the new normal. Life now revolves around the home, as people across the globe play, create and work within their walls. While we are cautiously optimistic that the situation in Australia is coming under control, we know that every part of the world is facing its own challenges and our thoughts remain with our friends, audiences and colleagues whose communities are struggling.

Maintaining positive mental health in these times is vital, and amongst the uncertainty we find hope in the pockets of colourful creativity that are blossoming. Arts and cultural organisations around the world are sharing new and innovative ways to engage with their work. We’ve collected family fun from some of our Australian friends – check it out here. We’ve also included our very own Polyglot at home. Our ingenious artists have dreamt up wonderful activities that use things you’ve probably got around the house, plus we’re sharing films created through our Kids Collaboration projects 5678 Film Club and First On The Ladder. Our Artistic Director Sue Giles AM spoke to VicHealth with advice for parents about facilitating and supporting kids’ creativity in the home – read this here.

We emailed you a few weeks ago with the disappointing news that, alongside 48 other organisations, Polyglot was unsuccessful in securing Four Year Funding from the Australia Council for the Arts for 2021-2024. We’ve been inundated with support since then – thank you so much if you are one of the many who’ve take the time to get in touch with us. It’s not too late if you’d still like to take action – you can click here to find the contact details for your local MP if you’d like to send an email explaining what Polyglot means to you and your views on the funding outcome.

Sue was among several industry leaders to speak to The Age last week about the ‘steady demise’ of the Theatre for Young Audiences sector in Australia, and how this will affect our performing arts industry. You can read this here.

Most importantly, we’d like to reassure you that Polyglot is not going away! We remain a strong, vibrant company that creates innovative and conceptually rich theatre for children all over the world. The funding outcome doesn’t diminish this. It makes the next four years more challenging, but we are already exploring new ways to secure the investment that we need for Polyglot to thrive. We look forward to your support as we continue creating and sharing transformative fun with children and their families well into the future.

Finally, we’d like to share an important sector fundraising campaign with you: 1000 x 1000: Crisis Cash for Artists. Polyglot stands in solidarity with all independent performing arts workers whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the pandemic. Many do not have access to a financial safety net and are not eligible for government assistance. Polyglot is proud to champion the 1000 x 1000: Crisis Cash for Artists fundraising campaign led by Theatre Network Australia and Creative Partnerships Australia. If you are in a position to assist, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. All donations big and small make a difference, and your support is greatly appreciated.