Country Arts SA’s vision has always been for artists and communities of regional South Australia to thrive through engagement with the arts, and to be recognised as essential contributors to the nation’s cultural voice.
The arts are entrenched in South Australia’s identity. In 1993, regional arts bodies previously operating independently were merged into the South Australian Country Arts Trust - now known as Country Arts SA. It has four regional theatres and an office in Port Adelaide to serve statewide regional SA.
Ken Lloyd AM held the position of Chief Executive Officer, Country Arts SA, from 1993 to 2010.
“Country Arts had a big job to do in the early 90s, amalgamating all the different agencies in regional South Australia,” Mr Lloyd said.
“It was a big change, and for the benefit of regional artists and communities. When it was established in 1993, the new Country Arts Trust replaced four regional Trusts. It was a matter of consolidating responsibility and improving efficient processes across the region.
“We streamlined how we ran our regional theatres and we soon saw people coming back to the theatre; we got shows back in the theatre. We did a lot of good work in those early days.”
Fast forward 30 years and the organisation has presented thousands of events and provided as many employment opportunities for artists and arts workers.
Country Arts SA has also produced new theatre and visual arts works, including establishing the highly regarded visual arts prize Breaking Ground. Pictured above right at the opening of Breaking Ground exhibition 'Ngatchu Yarta My Country' is artist Juanella McKenzie (L) and Country Arts SA Visual Arts Manager Lauren Mustillo (R).
It has delivered three successful Regional Centres of Culture (pictured above), a remote artist residency at Grindell's Hut in the Flinders Ranges, an artist residency on Kangaroo Island and an annual film festival, Nunga Screen, celebrating First Nations culture, stories and language through film, to name a few.
In 2021, Country Arts SA toured its first commissioned theatre production, Euphoria (pictured below right), about life’s ups and downs in regional and remote areas. The production garnered rave reviews and struck a chord with country communities.
Created with deep engagement with local communities over two years, Euphoria presented an authentic, compassionate and witty slice of life highlighting Country Arts SA’s vision to create art that could only be made in the regions. Following its success, in 2023 it toured nationally and again in regional SA, including an Adelaide season.
In another major milestone for regional arts, the new Country Arts Foundation was officially launched in November 2021 with the directors outlining an ambitious agenda for the future.
Country Arts SA Chief Executive/Executive Director Anthony Peluso said the organisation had grown to reflect the changing needs of regional South Australia.
“Country Arts SA is a respected leader, creating art that could only be made with the regions at heart," Mr Peluso said.
"Over the past 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people have enjoyed and been inspired by new arts and cultural experiences that were produced, presented, enabled and shared by Country Arts SA.
"As our world changes, so do the ways we experience and produce art. The next 30 years are filled with possibility, and we can’t wait for the next chapter in South Australia’s unique regional arts journey.”
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Country Arts SA will stage events and performances across the year around the state.
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