A scene from Black Swan State Theatre Company’s recent production of The Tempest at the Octagon Theatre, Perth, 2021. Image Daniel J Grant.
The Federal Government’s $200 million COVID relief arts grant program (the RISE fund) has drawn a broad range of industry opinion as it reaches its end. Now, the experiences of two of the program’s final round beneficiaries reveal another side to the story.
Rick Heath is the co-CEO of WA’s flagship theatre company Black Swan State Theatre Company. Black Swan has been among RISE’s final round’s biggest winners, receiving $700,000 to mount a production for touring to remote, regional and metropolitan communities across Australia.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
