Queensland Premier's Drama Award

The Queensland Government is seeking submissions from artists or groups of artists for the 2010-2011 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award.

Artists are invited to submit material reflective of Queensland: its politics, people, culture, history and experience. Subject matter that has ongoing relevance and wider resonances will be viewed favourably.

You can submit material your original material in a variety of formats, including DVD and CD. A variety of forms, such as political sketches, play, songs, cabaret elements and multimedia, will be considered.

The deadline for entries is 30 June 2010.

For more information, including an entry form and guidelines, visit the Queensland Theatre Company website.

Reconciliation Awards for Business Queensland

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Reconciliation Awards for Business.

The Reconciliation Awards for Business recognise businesses and community organisations who are taking positive steps in advancing reconciliation in Queensland.

The awards offer a total of $25,000 in prize money.

Nominations close Friday 12 March. Winners will be announced 27 May 2010 during Reconciliation Week.

For more information, including nomination forms and guidelines, visit the Queensland Government's Reconciliation website

National Close the Gap Day

National Close the Gap Day will be held on 25 March 2010.

Get involved and join the thousands of people around Australia holding events to raise awareness of the Indigenous health crisis.

You can hold your event in your home, workplace, school or community group or you can go along to an organised event.

Register or attend an event. To register your own event for the National Closing the Gap Day, or find out about events in your area that you can attend, visit the Oxfam website.

Fiona Foley: Forbidden

Fiona Foley: Forbidden is an in-depth solo exhibition covering Foley's work over the past 20 years.
From Fraser Island in Queensland, Foley’s practice encompasses painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, mixed media, public art and installation.

When: 10am - 4pm daily, 19 February – 2 May 2010
Where: University of Queensland Art Museum, St Lucia, Brisbane
Entry is free.
For more information, visit the University of Queensland Art Museum website.

Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos

The 2010 FOGS (Former Origin Greats) Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos provide Indigenous job seekers and school leavers with the opportunity to connect with Queensland employers, education and training providers.

At the expos, you'll have the opportunity to talk with exhibitors about career, education and training opportunities in a wide range of industries. You'll also get to meet a host of current and former Queensland State of Origin Greats.

2010 FOGS Indigenous Employment and Career Expo dates
Cairns: 28 April, Cairns Convention Centre
Rockhampton: 12 May, Rockhampton Showgrounds
Mt Isa: 2 June, Xstrata Exhibition and Convention Centre
Mackay: 21 July, Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
Brisbane: 15 September, Suncorp Stadium
Townsville: 6 October, Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre

For more information, visit the FOGS website.

Theme for National Reconciliation week 2010

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2010 is Reconciliation: Let’s see it through! National Reconciliation Week 2010 will highlight that a decade after the historic bridge walks it’s fair to say the future for reconciliation has never looked brighter. And while there’s still a way to go, respect, trust and the knowledge to turn good intentions into effective actions pave the way forward. In the words of the Prime Minister, we can now walk and work together, ‘First Australians alongside all Australians, towards a stronger and fairer Australian nation’. So on the 10th anniversary of the bridge walks (and of Reconciliation Australia itself), we’re asking all Australians to embrace the future and aspire to achieve great things together.

Posters will be available for organisations through the Reconciliation Australia website by mid-April.

Funding for Indigenous Contemporary Music

Breakthrough: funding for Indigenous contemporary music
The Breakthrough program aims to take Indigenous contemporary music to a wider listening audience.

Breakthrough will fund up to $25,000 for each successful applicant to help produce a high quality recording of their CD. The funding can also be used to help with:

- studio and equipment hire
- fees for musicians, production, mixing, engineering and mastering
- artwork
- CD manufacturing
- publicity and media costs
Applications for Breakthrough funding close at 5pm on Friday 19 February 2010.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the Australian Government's art and culture website

Deadly Funny: comedy competition

Deadly Funny: comedy competition
Deadly Funny is Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander comedy competition.

Deadly Funny offers comedy workshops where you can come along and learn from established professional comedians to help you turn your deadly yarn and jokes into a stand-up performance. At the workshops you'll get tips and advice on your writing and performance as well as the confidence to perform in front of an audience.

Workshops are being held in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Entry is free. Food is provided at all workshops.

Deadly Funny is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who are not fully professional comedy performers.

For more information, including workshop dates, visit the Deadly Funny website http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/specialevents/deadlyfunny