The ConnectEd Arts Residential Arts Camp was piloted in 2004 as one of the primary initiatives of the ConnectEd Arts strategy. The camp provides a unique opportunity for Indigenous students to interact with and learn from professional artists in an intensive residential setting. In 2008, Indigenous students from the Riverina region participated in a Circus workshop program over five days at the Lake Hume Resort, Albury.

Exploring the circus, Indigenous story telling and cultural knowledge, the intensive five day workshop program developd students’ interest and knowledge in circus making, as well as providing a positive cultural and social experience. The workshops were facilitated by leading Australian circus makers, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus. ConnectEd Arts also ran digital music and video production work shops during the camp, and students worked with professional film makers at Metro Screen to make a documentary of their experience.

In addition to the artistic, social and cultural benefits for the students, the camp provides professional development outcomes for participating teachers and Aboriginal Education Officers.

In 2009 the Flying Fruit Fly Circus will re-engage with students, teachers and Aboriginal Education Officers to build on skills developed in the first camp held 2008. It will be intensive, with students participating in 6hrs of training per day with a focus on ground based activities ie Adagio/balance, object manipulation and acrobatics.

This strategy has been employed by the circus over the duration of our Indigenous programs to great effect.

To complement the training program and to begin the process of developing skills of the regions Aboriginal Education Officers, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus will provide professional development and mentoring sessions.