GROUNDWORK

July 2025

In July our first GROUNDWORK program of Creative Conversations began with a gathering of the most wonderful cohort of local artists at Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion. They had accepted our invitation to share their ideas and/or creative practice and discuss the seeds of performance projects in need of nourishment.

The purpose of these conversations is to provide professional support and advice that’s practical, experience-based and affirming, and find a like-minded and supportive community for the adventure of making new performance work. Making new work can be a lonely road!

Spending the week with this imaginative and inspiring group of artists – encompassing directing, performing, movement, videography, community engagement and music – was thrilling and incredibly productive for all of us. We had lovely feedback from the participants about our time together:

‘Being involved in Groundwork was an invaluable experience for me as an emerging actor and director. I came to the program with a sense of ‘I don’t even know what I don’t know’ and have left with headlights blazing, clarity and direction.’

‘Crimson Rosella’s Groundwork offers a unique perspective on your work and ideas, allowing you to objectively assess them. Notably, each artist in Groundwork was encouraged to persevere despite challenging funding and resource constraints. Crimson Rosella offered some resources and in-kind weight to everyone’s project.’

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in GROUNDWORK 2025. We’ll check in on this cohort’s progress in 6 months’ time, and in the meantime, we’re pouring everything we learned this winter into our plans for GROUNDWORK 2026.