Blue Mountains News

This funding has been allocated through the NSW Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program – Western Sydney Strategic Opportunities Initiative.

“I am pleased to confirm this support which will assist in increasing and promoting participation in arts and cultural actives in Penrith,” said Stuart Ayres

“The NSW Government is making continued investments in cultural and artistic programs which join our communities together and showcase the talents of local artistic and musical talent,” Stuart Ayres said.  

Q Theatre’s Long Table is a season of activity (1 March 2019 – 31 May 2019) that combines performance and public engagement with the goal of expanding our capacity to create and connect through the intersection of arts and health in Western Sydney.

The Long Table is an invitation, a provocation and a place to gather, discuss and share. It makes room for the conversations we’ve not been able to have to date and creates a context for us to reconsider our relationship to the intersection of art, health, community and participation. It is key to expanding our capacity to connect, support and sustain a dialogue with some of the diverse communities in our local area while also activating underutilised space at The Joan.

Once a month a guest curator will work with three community hosts as well as Nepean Local Health District’s Population Health Team and Penrith Multicultural Inter-agency to curate a season of activities and one major gathering event.  Working with guest curators and community hosts, will enable the team to work closely and collaboratively with different communities including First Peoples, LGBTQI+ and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

These gatherings will be free events, designed to marry food and opportunities to connect with the community as part of curated arts and cultural experiences. 

“The Long Table welcomes new audiences and regular attendees to take their seat at the table and connect with community, friends, food, performance and Q Theatre,” said Nick Atkins, Project Director.