Tracy joins the ACF team with a passion for supporting independent artists having dedicated her studies and career to fostering the arts. We are excited for her to share her wealth of knowledge, and witty sense of humour, with our ACF fundraisers.
Welcome to the team! What are you most excited about in your new role as Australian Cultural Fund Officer?
Is it too cheesy to say being able to support the incredible creators and projects? No? Perfect. Honestly though, one of the things that drew me to fundraising in the first place is that there are so many people out there with incredible ideas who just need a platform and a bit of guidance. To be able to play any part in this process is so wholesome and fulfilling.
Tell us a bit of background on your pre-Creative Partnerships life and some career highlights.
As a dance obsessed teen growing up in Toowoomba, I knew early on that I wasn’t cut out to be on stage professionally (if my 1996 eisteddfod video is anything to go by). My ethos quickly became ‘if I can’t join them, support them’ and since then I’ve dedicated my studies and career to fostering the arts.
On paper, my career has been anything but linear and I’ve found myself wearing more hats than I thought I ever would – sometimes literally when working for a fashion head office in London. I’ve been a theatre usher, trivia host, planning analyst, correspondence officer, content creator and now, after a stint in publishing, I’m back in fundraising and can’t wait to be able to support our local creatives.
What do you think are the most important focuses for artists and arts organisations seeking private sector support in the post-COVID environment?
If I’ve learned anything from the last couple of years, it’s that people supporting people is a truly wonderful thing. Now is an excellent time for creators to show some love to their networks and build on these relationships. It’s also nice to keep in touch to ensure that if someone is looking to start a new funding round, they’re not coming out of the woodwork with ‘hey remember me? I need funds.’
I would also advise creators to focus on being kind to themselves, COVID hit our arts community hard, and it’s been a struggle for many out there. Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ might take a bit so put yourself first and take some time to focus on you.
Tell us about a really great piece of art you experienced recently.
With the comedy festival just wrapping up in Melbourne, I was lucky enough to experience a Gilbert & Sullivan parody cabaret which was kitschy and fun in all the best ways. I’m going to be honest; I didn’t have the highest of hopes but it was honestly a delight and a good reminder that art can be surprising and is always worth the punt.
Winter is just around the corner – what are some of your favourite winter pastimes?
Outside of staying in bed reading and making mulled wine, I somehow ended up as the Vice President of a softball club that plays during winter. I wouldn’t call it the ideal winter sport, but the slightly suspect sausage rolls from the canteen make it worth it.