ABC celebrates Arts Week this 18 – 24 September
The ABC will once again put a spotlight on the creative arts as we celebrate Arts Week this September 18 to 24.
In 2023, we’re encouraging Australians to practice art and creativity in any form. It could be playing music in the back shed, learning to knit or taking a paining class. This year’s ABC Arts Week theme of “Happy Making” aims to inspire Australians to get creative in whatever way they can and experience the benefits on their mental health and wellbeing.
ABC Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver Taylor said: “I’m delighted the ABC is once again celebrating Arts Week.”
“The ABC itself is a cornerstone of the Arts, and working collaboratively with amazing story tellers both inside the ABC and in partnership with the independent sector showcases Australia’s creativity across the most significantly diverse range of output, across screen, audio and digital”.
ABC Arts Week comes after the ABC announced award-winning broadcaster Virginia Trioli is leaving ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings to head a new arts screen program which will screen on the ABC in 2024.
In 2024, the ABC is set to cement its status as Australia’s home of the arts, with exciting new offerings, increased investment and unrivalled coverage across screen, audio and digital.
Content highlights
The Whiteley Art Scandal
Tuesday 19 September 8.30pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview
The riveting story of the greatest art fraud case in Australian history is captured in this documentary that takes a rarely granted, behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous and high-stakes world of art dealing.
Art Works
Sunday 24 September 5pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview
There’s something for every maker, mover and tinkerer this week. From eel skin violins to paper flowers, from self-care compositions and healing ceramics to pressure-sensitive floors you can perform on – join us as we meet creatives from across Australia for insights into their making motivations and some how-to inspiration.
Creative Australia Awards Recipients
Monday September 18 at 11pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview
A special Arts Week presentation featuring eight incredible artists and creative workers from around Australia.
Landline
Sunday September 17 at 12.30pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview
Old wool sorting tables are being transformed from shearing shed relics into highly sought-after dining and board room centrepieces. Country town carpenter Jason Porter has started making replicas from recycled timber to keep up with demand for the sought-after conversation starters.
The Book Show
Monday 18 September 10am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen
Authors Joan Silber, Toni Jordan and Andy Weir bring joy to The Book Show, talking about the radical act of writing optimistic fiction. You’ll also hear from Richard Ford, Douglas Stuart, Jennifer Down, Anita Heiss, Marlon James and Monica Ali.
Life Matters – There’s a memoir in everyone: Healing by telling your story
Monday 18 September 9am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen
They say to write/paint/sing what you know, and what do you know better than your own life? Narrative therapy allows us to tell our own stories in a way that empowers us and improves our mental wellbeing, and art is the perfect medium for those stories. We look at how to get creative with your life story and boost your mental health in the process.
The Stage Show
Tuesday 19 September 10am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
We catch up with a very talented person, the recipient of the Creative Australia Dance Award.
The Art Show
Wednesday 20 September 10am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
Air kissing and free drinks aside, the competitive art world isn’t always “happy making”! So, host Daniel Browning will be meeting some artists who actively practice what they call an “ethics of care” in their work, extending to ideas of environmental sustainability and deep listening.
Blueprint for Living
Saturday 23 September 9am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
What are the ingredients that go into making happy and liveable cities for families with children? Is it just a question of creating more open spaces, or something more? Blueprint host Jonathan Green speaks with design critic and mother Alexandra Lange about ways to build better neighbourhoods and cities for little people.
The Bookshelf
Saturday 23 September 10am AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
This week’s show is art-themed, with the team reviewing The Modern, a debut novel by Kiwi author Anna Kate Blair with guest reviewer, Rosa Ellen, producer of RN’s specialist visual arts program, The Art Show. The Modern is set in the heady world of MoMA, and is a brilliant take on art, sexuality and desire, and asks what it is to be a modern person today.
This Working Life
Sunday 24 September 1.30pm AEST on ABC listen.
For Arts Week, This Working Life asks the question: “How can we create/think/work like an artist?” We’ll learn tips and insights about inspiration, innovation and flow states from artists and experts to take and apply to our own jobs.
Big Ideas – Keeping up with the Coppolas
Monday 18 September 8pm AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
The Coppolas are one of cinema’s great family dynasties. The patriarch is Francis Ford Coppola, the Oscar-winning director of The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and many others. His children, Sofia and Roman, have charted creative paths in their own right. Roman — an award-winning music video director and regular collaborator of Wes Anderson — was a recent guest of Melbourne’s inaugural Now or Never Festival. Roman tells host Keri Elmsly, head of programming at ACMI, why he’s on a mission to democratise film funding through blockchain, and why Luna Park was a recent source of inspiration.
Awaye!
Saturday 16 September 6pm AEST on ABC RN and ABC listen.
Playwright Nakkiah Lui and co-directors Shari Sebbens and Ursula Yovich discuss Blaque Showgirls: the sparkly, smart-arsed spoof of the so-bad-it’s-good cinematic masterpiece Showgirls.
Classic Choir Hour
Thursday 21 September 7pm AEST on ABC Classic and ABC listen.
A special hour of your favourite choral music presented by Vanessa Hughes. Find out about the joys of singing together and how singing in a choir can enrich your life.
Becoming Frida Kahlo
Premieres 19 September 3pm on ABC iview
This compelling portrait of Frida Kahlo strips away the myths to reveal the real Frida – a passionate, radical artist living through extraordinary times.
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
In this re-imagining of the classic tale, Matthew Bourne’s witty and beautifully disturbing version of the prince’s dark spiral into derangement is danced by a menacing and animalistic male ensemble.
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s delectable sets and costumes combine with Matthew Bourne’s dazzling choreography to create a fresh and charmingly irreverent interpretation of the classic ballet.
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
Winner of two Olivier Awards, Matthew Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the classic Powell and Pressburger film, The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world.
ABC iview Performance collection
Some of the best live performances from around Australia featuring titles from the Australian String Quartet, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Australian Theatre Live.
ABC iview Arts documentaries
Celebrate art with these arts documentaries from Australia and around the world. Featuring the likes of Becoming Frida Kahlo and The Art of Australia.
Daylight Savings begins in some markets.
