Kirk Robson Theology and the Arts Memorial Fund

2010 Funded Projects announced:

The 2010 funding round has been determined and three projects were successful this year.  The Easter Arts festival, The New Road and Sustainable Shoes Project all receive support.

Easter Arts Festival

Pakenham to Drouin UC Growth Corridor Ministry       $850.00

This community arts project, engaging a range of art forms, centres on a visual art exhibition. The festival includes hospitality, performances and workshops which seek to build relationships between artists, church and community.  The Easter theme explores difficult and life-giving experiences of human life, and presents opportunities for conversation and theological reflection.  The 2011 Easter Arts Festival will build on the success of the 2010 festival, which provided a space where interested people may consider how life experience connects with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The New Road          

Prahran Mission                                                $850.00

Prahran Mission proposes to create a series of choir workshops for people with mental illness towards a musical concert which will include nearby local church community music groups and bands.  The project provides opportunities for people with mental illness to express themselves through the arts, to be valued and defined not solely by their illness. 

Sustainable Shoes Project

Glen Waverley Uniting Church                  $300.00

This project will involve local artists from Glen Waverley Uniting Church coming together with the student community at Glen Waverley Secondary College inspiring students to respond to themes of fair trade, poverty, social justice and sustainability.

About Kirk Robson:
Kirk Robson was a charismatic performer, musician, director and Uniting Church elder.  Particularly in his role as Artistic Director of the Melbourne-based theatre company The Torch Project, Kirk worked with local communities to identify the issues which they faced, and to create artistic performances which communicated their difficulties, resilience and hopes for transformation.  His Community Cultural Development approach sought to embody reconciliation with Aboriginal people to listen to those whose voices are often not heard, and encourage participation by diverse communities to create powerful theatre.

Kirk was tragically killed in 2005.  This fund was inspired by his passion for this work, which was grounded in his theology.  Faith and social justice were the motivating forces of his life.

The work of the Kirk Robson Theology and the Arts Memorial Fund:
Inspired by his work and passion, Kirk’s family have established this fund to assist the conversation between theology and the arts.  The first project undertaken by the Fund is to support John Bell’s work as the first ‘Artist in Residence’ at the Centre for Theology and Ministry.  It is hoped that there may be many further creative initiatives which then follow, from exhibitions in matters of faith, to support for emerging artists, other artists in residence, and more.  Kirk’s artwork was characterised by inclusiveness and active, respectful engagement with communities, and the fund will support projects that demonstrate these values.


How can I support the Kirk Robson Theology and the Arts Memorial Fund:
If you would like to support this work through the Kirk Robson Theology and the Arts Memorial Fund, please complete the downloadable payment form to make a periodic or one-off donation, and return it by post to the address provided.

For more information please contact the CTM Artfull Faith Co-ordinator on telephone (03) 9340 8800, fax (03) 9340 8805, or email: info [at] ctm [dot] uca [dot] edu [dot] au.

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donation_form.pdf