Dreaming Festival Announces New Program Director

The Queensland Folk Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Cook as Programming Director of The Dreaming festival, Australia's International Indigenous festival.

Raised in Western Australia and coming from the Nyikina nation of the Kimberley region in the States north-west, Ms Cook grew up surrounded by the arts. Her career has taken her through music, theatre, literature, visual arts and executive arts management, leading groundbreaking international initiatives and national arts outcomes. She has previously held the position of Executive Producer of Yirra Yakin Theatre and was recently developing international partnership programs and lecturing on Indigenous Arts Management through the Wilin Centre, based at the faculty of the VCA & Music, University of Melbourne.

Sam's vision is to continue moving The Dreaming festival forward from the foundations and programme direction created by the Queensland Folk Federation and previous Artistic Director Rhoda Roberts. A culturally relevant programme of contemporary and traditional Indigenous culture has seen The Dreaming festival grow from an aggregate attendance of 5,000 in 2005 to 23,000 in 2009.

The Dreaming offers audiences an opportunity to experience an integration of people, environment and culture in a contemporary context. "Education, health, economic development and employment have an intrinsic role in The Dreaming festival", says Ms Cook "Art and Culture were never separated out in traditional Indigenous societies".

Equally, Sam is looking at this being a true artists festival, where people come together to learn, collaborate and grow within their various expressions, through a programme of carefully curated Indigenous arts excellence.

"I want this to be the space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous can come together to celebrate the many and varied talents within our global community. A space where the remote artist has as much engagement and opportunity as the urban artist, where language barriers are overcome by the common language of humanity, all of this coming together for what stands to be a significant and unique experience for audiences and practitioners alike. " Sam says.

Set in the beautiful valley of Woodfordia an hour north of Brisbane. the festival offers comfortable venues and camping areas. The programme is rich with ceremony, theatre, dance, music, comedy, cabaret, film, debate, discussion and workshops. The festival streets are lined with restaurants, street theatre, art galleries, craft stalls and dotted with fire circles.

Bill Hauritz, Executive Director of the Queensland Folk Federation welcomes the appointment. "Sam will do a wonderful job putting together a programme that draws from a community of artists and presenters that continue to punch way above their weight in the world of cultural expression."

The Dreaming - Australia's International Indigenous festival is an annual event. Dates for the 2010 festival are 11-14th June. The programme will be released in April. Early Bird tickets are available through the website www.thedreamingfestival.com or by calling the Queensland Folk Federation on 07 5496 1066.

Published: 11 Mar 2010 by Q Music Newsdesk