In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss their work connecting people around the globe. Madeleine interviews Jeffrey Tan, a teaching artist and network building in Asia who works with the disabilities community. Madeleine and Jeff debrief the conversation thinking broadly about the impact of funding systems change.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How working together can strengthen a sector of artists, educators, and activists;
The role of radical grace when working together; and
The impact of strategic funding systems change work.
Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:
Open Homes project
Please download the transcript here.
ABOUT JEFFREY TAN
An experienced Theatre Director, Drama Educator and Creative Producer. He has worked full time as Resident Director with The Theatre Practice (1997), Drama Lecturer and Acting Head of Drama with LASALLE SIA (1999) and as Associate Artistic Director with TheatreWorks (S) Ltd (From 2002 – 2006).
He was Assistant Director (Festivals) with the National Arts Council from 2007 to 2009 and Head, Commune: Participation with the Singapore Arts Festival from 2010 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015, he was Assistant Director, Community Arts and Culture Division, People’s Association. Jeffrey ran three PAssionArts Festivals that brought Festival Villages and large Format visual Arts to over 40 locations in the 86 Constituencies.
In 2015, he conceptualized and produced OPEN HOMES – between nine Theatre Facilitators and 25 Families, to create their own performances in their living rooms. This mega project was commissioned again by the Singapore International Festival of Arts in 2017. In 2019, LaBoite and Backbone Theatre in Brisbane, Australia, invited him as Lead Artist to work with their local team of Theatre Facilitators, Stage Managers and 15 Families. In 2021, Open Homes will open in OzAsia, Adelaide Australia with six Asian Australian families.
Jeffrey describes his theatre work as people centric and inclusive. The diversity of partners and communities he has worked with includes children, youths, working adults and seniors. He believes in creating safe space through the arts, to empower people to discover and share their untold stories. He is fueled by the wealth of life experiences from international collaboration through storytelling.
Jeffrey is most excited by the connecting power of the arts, when we practice inclusivity. With the emerging practice of disability and inclusive arts in Singapore, he is especially delighted to be working to advance the artistry of Teaching Artists in Asia who are working in these inclusive environments - schools and communities.
This episode of Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation was powered by Creative Generation. It was produced and edited by Daniel Stanley. Artwork by Bridget Woodbury. Music by Distant Cousins.