December Update...

Working closely with Business and Employment, Australian Business Arts Foundation and other business, arts and community organisations, we are exploring the best models that could work for the regionally based groups to enter the world of Social Enterprise.

When starting any new venture there is an element of calculated risk and a moment of jumping in with either investment money or resources. We are now at that point.

We are continuing to work alongside a dedicated group of people in Sheffield on a Community Gallery Social Enterprise, currently teasing out the financial viability and pulling together an updated business plan.
The work with Interweave in Launceston has been really dynamic with the group identifying a range of opportunities, but determining one avenue that could support and profile the art produced by artists in the Launceston area.
Branching Out is a challenging and exciting project with two key components: 1 the strategic Management-including research, networking and establishing partnerships and 2 the Operational and implementation of the pilot projects. Including identifying key skill requirements, community needs and working with the groups to move the projects forward.

Pitching Your Project

One of the most interesting and inspiring programs held at the recent Social Enterprise World Forum in Melbourne was the pitching of ideas to a panel with representatives from business, community and government.
In front of an audience participants had only 6 minutes to tout their wares and give clear and real indications of how the proposed projects could be financially, socially and environmentally viable.
The aim of the pitch was to attract start up funds for a range of fantastic programs. Business plans and research had been done in preparation for the pitch and the really exciting part was that some of the projects were successful and received start up funds.
Our research and learnings to date suggest that creative industries need an injection of resources and money at the set up stage, just like any business venture.
Perhaps pitching could be one approach-What do you think?

Disability Arts Online - at the forefront of the disability arts evolution - disability arts online

Disability Arts Online - at the forefront of the disability arts evolution - disability arts online

A place for the arts in rural revitalisation and the social wellbeing of Australian rural communities - Rural Society Journal

A place for the arts in rural revitalisation and the social wellbeing of Australian rural communities - Rural Society Journal

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WORLD FORUM

I have just returned from the Social Enterprise World Forum in Melbourne where, along with 2 other TRA staff members, heard from practitioners working on global social enterprise projects.
Some of them small and others immense, these projects all had similarities around the passion and drive behind the idea, the development of key partnerships, financial strength and risk.

It was a little reassuring to know that there is general confusion about the language of social enterprise and the exact model. While the model is still unclear the aim of these initiatives is obvious. These groups, businesses and organisations are wanting to develop meaningful ventures that assist community, deliver a tangible service/product, address an identified need and sustain themselves financially. The industry itself is growing with a huge commitment from government, business, community organisations and individual philanthropists.

Philanthropists are investing in social enterprise ventures, business people are converting successful businesses to social enterprise ventures and community projects are incorporating income generating components.

It's an interesting time. The challenge is to identify how best we can incorporate social enterprise principles into arts and cultural activities.

ENTERPRISING INTERWEAVE

Interweave has gained a great reputation for working on a range of arts projects with people with disabilities and young people from the Launceston community.
We are working with a core working group to identify the potential for a Social Enterprise venture from within the many projects they are involved in.
The next step is to determine the feasibility of the project and identify the needs and resources to make it happen.

SHEFFIELD ON TRAK

We are working with an enthusiastic group of people from the Kentish community on an idea for a Social Enterprise project in Sheffield. Two workshops have been held identifying key success factors and potential projects. This has led to an idea for a Community Gallery that aims to exhibit and sell 'beautiful things'; homemade products, jams, art, handicrafts and other items made by Tasmanian producers.
The next step is to look at the feasibility for this project, identifying the funds, resources and skills needed to undertake such a project.