Gay and disabled comedian Philip Patston is about to launch the most ambitious project of his life - Momentum'09, an International Creative Diversity Symposium happening next month at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre. Momentum'09 creative director Philip Patston Leaders in the fields of arts and creativity will come together from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, America and Canada. Some of them are queer, including UK comedians Liz Carr and Julie McNamara. "Momentum'09 will be a melting pot of innovation, inspiration, aspiration and the best in performance, film and visual creativity by artists, performers and experts from around the globe," explains Patston, the Symposium's Creative Director. "We want to open people up to the creative talents of artists and performers who are often judged as less worthy of artistic value. Momentum'09 is about raising the profile and scope of diversity in the arts, by shining a new light on disability and marginalisation as a creative experience, not a catastrophe." Some of the international keynote speakers and performers include Sir Ken Robinson [UK/USA]; Rodney Bell [NZ]; Caitlin Smith (NZ); Mark Bagshaw (Australia); Victoria Maxwell (Canada); Tom Shakespeare (UK); Julie McNamara (UK); Liz Carr (UK); Lyle Victor Albert (Canada); Mat Fraser (UK); and Elizabeth Navratil (Australia). The four-day Symposium aims to bring pace, perspective and prominence to creative diversity in the arts. It will address issues relating to disability, sexual and gender diversity, cultural diversity, mental health and cultural Deafness, and integrate intense debate on a range of issues and topics. Momentum'09 will incorporate dialogue and audience development with capacity building. A learning fair and marketplace will offer professional development planning and highlight career opportunities. The programme is targeted at artists and arts workers, funding bodies, arts organisations and policymakers, community groups, government agencies and arts enthusiasts. The Momentum'09 programme for 25 - 28 February is almost finalized, with Patston now hoping that members of the LGBT community will get behind the event by registering as delegates, attending the evening showcases or the Symposium dinner. There is also a performance programme lined up for Sunday 1 March at TAPAC in Western Springs. For further information and registration check out Momentum'09's official website, linked below.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 15th January 2009 - 4:16pm