Arts Projects – Community Cultural Development
Suzannah’s journey as a community arts worker and creative producer began at a grassroots level in outback South Australia during her early twenties. Over a decade, she contributed to numerous projects, including six years as a Regional Arts Development Officer for Country Arts SA and four years as Artistic Director for d’faces of youth arts in Whyalla. These roles solidified her understanding of community cultural development (CCD) and laid the foundation for her work in community arts and project management. During this time she was a group recipient of a Minsterial Award (SA Great) for Tourism (Fishy Fringe Festival) and a Ministerial Award (SA Great) for D’faces of Youth Arts.
After taking time off to stay home with her children, Suzannah has returned to working on projects in regional NSW, previously with Arts Upper Hunter, and currently as a freelance creative producer.
Selected Projects 2026-2003
Embed – Invisible Landscapes 2016 – 2026. A ten year project culminating in a body of work exploring the concept of carried landscape, accumulated memory and the visible evidence of the invisible. Over time, numerous canvas pieces were left at locations across the Hunter, Upper Hunter and Port Stephens ….to gather dust, traces, weather, time and place. To be launched in 2027.
Forged Rhythms, 2026, Creative Producer, Activating the heritage forge at Tocal Homestead through sound, film and sculpture. Working with Sound Artist Huw Jones, Film maker Jonathan Burrows and blacksmith / sculptor Will Maguire. This project is supported by the Government of Australia through the Regional Arts Fund.
Time Portal, 2025 – 2026, Creative Producer, working with immersive artist Anna Fraser to activate the old lock up at Scone Museum, NSW. This project is funded by the Government of NSW through CREATE NSW.
First Stories, Project Coordinator/Creative producer, with Arts Upper Hunter. Two Wanaruah stories brought to life through the film work of Jonathan Burrows. The Common, a story of the Muswellbrook Common and its significant to the Wanaruah people, won best cinematography at the Blue Heelers Fim Festival. Finchley’s Lookout, a beautiful story of the passing on of knowledge from father to daughter, Elder Warren Taggart and his artist daughter Kerri-Ann Taggart. This project was generously supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Creative Valleys: Curated Cultural Trails of the Upper Hunter – Project Officer with Arts Upper Hunter. A cultural tourism web platform developed with community members and the four LGAs of Dungog Shire, Singleton Shire, Muswellbrook Shire and Upper Hunter Shire. This project is also a launch pad for community projects focused on enhancing cultural assets. Funded through the Government of NSW. 2022- present. www.creativevalleys.com.au
This Here Then Now, Project Coordinator/Arts Upper Hunter/Grant Writer; a Museum Activation project with resident artists across three museums, including Dungog Museum, Tocal Homestead and Scone Museum. Funded by the Regional Arts Fund. 2024.
Desks of Fabric, by Sophie Cox. A Museum Activation project at Scone Museum as part of the This Here Then Now program. Sophie’s residency inspired a series of textile works created in response to the Museum’s century-old school desks, in collaboration with students from Scone Grammar School. Funded through the Regional Arts Fund and Create NSW.
Bing Bang Ring. Cash is King! by Helene Leane. A Museum Activation project at Dungog Museum, NSW as part of the This Here Then Now program. Dungog artist Helene Leane created a colourful body of work inspired by a beautifully ornate National Cash Register housed in the Museum’s collection. The exhibition is ongoing over 2024. Funded through the Regional Arts Fund and Create NSW.
Blackett’s Barn by Todd Fuller – A Museum Activation Project at Tocal Homestead, NSW. Todd Fuller’s beautifully crafted drawing animation responds to the rich history of Blackett Barn at Tocal Homestead. This project was made possible with generous support from the Regional Arts Fund, Create NSW, and the CB Alexander Foundation.
Carmel and Gwen: The Twins of the Pioneer Cottage
Carmel and Gwen: Twins of the Pioneer Cottage, developed in collaboration with Murrurundi Museum. For over two decades, Carmel and Gwen, affectionately known as “The Twins,” have charmed locals and visitors alike with entertaining tours of the historical Pioneer Cottage. Recognising the invaluable treasure trove of their knowledge and stories, Murrurundi Museum, working with Arts Upper Hunter, embarked on a mission to preserve their legacy for future generations. Funded by the Country Arts Support Program, 2023. Videographer: Jonathan Burrows (Pretty Amazing Productions).
You can view a short snippet here.
LiddellWORKS
LiddellWORKS Project, Project Officer, a joint project between Arts Upper Hunter and AGL Macquarie to mark the historic closure of the Liddell Power Station which occurred in April 2023.
Over 12 months 17 artists responded to the history, closure and transformation of the Liddell Power Station, culminating in an exhibition at both Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre and Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. 2022-23. Suzannah coordinated and supported six resident artists, including
Todd Fuller, Dr Penny Dunstan, Suellyn Connoly, Tim Brown, Anna Rankmore and Huw Jones.
South Australia – Projects
- Positions Vacant, Project Coordinator, Directed by Jo Zealand, written by Finnegan Krukemeyer, choreography by Catheryne James, set design by Susi Skinner. An Original Theatre production exploring the issue of youth unemployment in regional South Australia. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts.
- Licensed To Communicate, Project Coordinator, Directed by Alex Bickford. An original theatre production concerning the impact of online communication on the relationships of regional youth, Funded by Australia Council for the Arts.
- Young Mums- Nothing Better to Do; — A film project challenging media stereotypes that claimed teenage mothers in Whyalla, South Australia had “nothing better to do than make babies.” This project explores the complex realities behind sensationalist headlines and gives voice to the young women at the center of this community conversation. Lead Artist Filmmaker: Heather Croal. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts.
- Massive Art, 2002-2005 Project Producer/Coordinator of the Long-term aerosol art program for youth in Whyalla, focusing on skills development and mural projects with Artist James Cochran.
Working in remote regions, one must be resourceful………..including making the fire sculptures for events.
- Fishy Fringe Festival, Artistic Director, with community group CREATE. This community developed weeklong artistic event occurred on the edge of the Whyalla National Snapper Fishing competition, celebrating local art, music, performance and more. Suzannah and her team were recipients of a Ministerial Award for Tourism for this event. This event is now known as Whyalla Unearthed.
- Art on Wheels 2006 – Project Coordinator/producer/ Aerosol art program with young people culminated with installation of aerosol art works on car parts into the arid outback surrounds of Whyalla, and photographed by Randy Larcombe. Artists engaged James Cochran , and Indigenous artist Willy Carbine. Funded by Arts SA, Country Arts SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB), Whyalla City Council and Gordon Darling Foundation.
- Open Arms 2003 – Project Coordinator/Producer/Grant Writer. Original community theatre piece exploring the relationship and friendships developed between young people in Whyalla and young detainees in Baxter Detention Centre, near Port Augusta, SA. Directed by Priya Goldfinsh with support from Stephen House, written by Bryan Martin. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Community Benefit SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB) Whyalla City Council.
- Nothing better to do, 2005 – Project Producer/Grant Writer; A prominent member of the Whyalla community commented in the media that young mums had nothing better to do than to get pregnant and have babies. This film project, made with young mothers from the community was a response to that comment. Funded by SAYAB, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Whyalla City Council, Country Arts SA.
- Nunga dance program – ongoing workshops for Nunga youth in Whyalla with a professional Indigenous dancer, Nikky Ashby, from Adelaide. Two members of the dance group were successful in gaining placements with NAISDA in Sydney.
- The Hip Hop Program, hip hop dance, and hip hop writing and sound production workshops with MC Simplex with performance outcomes at festival events.
- Community Artist Work: Jimmy Melrose Park mosaic mural, Glenelg Foreshore; Streaky Bay bench seats; silk banners, Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln; Cultural Precinct Whyalla mosaic murals and more.
- Landscape drawing workshops…plein air.
- Coordinator of the City of Whyalla Art Prize, 2002 – 2007