PRESS RELEASE - ANVAM Presents FOVA24: A Celebration of Veterans Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 February 2024
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL VETERANS ARTS MUSEUM (ANVAM) PRESENTS FOVA24: A CELEBRATION OF VETERAN ARTISTRY
Melbourne, Australia - February 18, 2024 - The Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM), a veteran-led charity and cultural institution, is proud to announce the Festival Of Veteran Arts (FOVA24), the first of its kind initiative designed to celebrate engage and support veteran artists and their contributions, as well as the value of creativity in the workplace. FOVA24 will occur across various iconic Melbourne Arts Precinct locations from March 15 to 24, 2024.
Image: FOVA24 - A Festival Of Veterans Arts
With successful projects such as From War 2018, the first exhibition of veteran arts at the Australian Parliament House, the annual March To Art exhibition series, and the currently touring photographic exhibition Persona, which offers a glimpse into the lives and stories of contemporary veteran artists, FOVA24 marks the next step in ANVAM's mission as it seeks to expand perceptions of why and how veterans engage in the arts. Beyond the traditional focus on recovery or rehabilitation, FOVA24 aims to delve into the professional and leisurely realms of artistic expression.
The first festival of its kind, FOVA24 aims to celebrate the lives of veterans, their service and who are now engaged in artistic practices through public events and veteran community-focused gatherings. From March 15, with a welcoming and networking event for the veteran community, to March 24, with a live music performance at the Shrine of Remembrance for an open audience, FOVA24 will host an array of artistic engagements and a one-day summit on March 23 focused on discussing the importance of creativity to the veteran community.
"Creativity is a currency," said Tanja Johnston, Head of Arts Programs at ANVAM. "It can be utilised for mental health and wellbeing, as a pathway to employment post-service, and as a means of connecting with a community of fellow creative veterans. Through FOVA24, we aim to celebrate and champion the veteran artist community, our culture and the invaluable contributions as artists, employees, and thought leaders."
Image: Veteran artist comedian, writer, actor, Jarryd Goundrey. Photographer: Guy Sadler
"There is a growing focus on creativity in the workplace," says Mark Johnston, Chairman and Director of ANVAM. "As workplaces, including Defence, increasingly value and nurture creativity and culture, we are committed to nurturing the creatives themselves, particularly veteran artists. While there is often recognition of veterans and their military service, there's a notable absence of celebration of who we are as a culture and community. FOVA24 seeks to change that narrative."
FOVA24 will offer a program open to the veteran community and the public, including the world's only Veterans Public Arts Trail, the new iteration of the annual exhibition March To Art: Form, a pop-up exhibition with ADFCAA, open days at the RUSI Library, and two live performances during the festival.
An exclusive program for the veteran community will feature engaging workshops in creative disciplines and the FOVA24 Creative Agency Summit. While workshops will provide opportunities in artistic mediums such as stand-up comedy, life sculpting, collage, writing, and dance, the Summit will offer a day of talks, discussions, panels, and performances exploring the relevance of creativity to veterans, ultimately focusing on the importance of creative agency to foster a sense of culture, legacy, and resilience. Additionally, the Summit will host a Makers Showcase featuring veteran entrepreneurs in creative industries.
FOVA24 will take place from March 15 to 24, 2024, in various iconic Arts Precinct locations, with the Creative Agency Summit occurring on March 23 at the Victorian College of the Arts. The veteran community is encouraged to attend all public events and are especially invited to participate in the workshops and Summit. Booking is essential.
For more information and to register, please visit the FOVA24 website at https://www.fova.org.au/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mark Johnston, Chairman & Director
info@anvam.org.au