CONTACT

Email: amelia.kalifa@gmail.com

mobile: 0431 842 339

SERVICES

Art installation design and fabrication
Community project design and facilitation
Festival program development and delivery
School based programs and residencies
Interactive technology advice and consultancy
Professional development and conference workshops. Topics include art and engagement with children and families; STEAM; interactive technology.

Have a project or an idea that you would like to discuss? Please don't hesitate to get in touch - I'm always happy to have a chat.

ABOUT

The idea of folding community back in on itself in surprising and playful ways is central to my practice. My work seeks to engage communities as artists and explorers, providing experiences that facilitate collaboration and connection building.

I am an interdisciplinary artist and work across design, making and facilitation with a focus on interactive art. Building on a foundation in community arts and education, I'm interested in creating engaging and transformative experiences through arts practice.

My recent installations Hive Mind (on going) and Sounds Fishy (Brisbane Powerhouse, 2016) explore a fascination with the intersection between humans and technology and employ interactivity and social practice to blur the line between social and individual space, artist and audience.

Although I have significant experience working with children and young people, I'm also interested in work that brings out the playfulness in all of us. Hive Mind (on going), The Music Box (State Library of Queensland, 2013) and Connect The Dots (Burning Man Festival, USA, 2013) all invite participants of all ages to contribute, play and connect.

SKILLS

Art Making: Design (specialising in site specific and interactive work), 3D mixed media including soft sculpture, woodwork, found objects, interactive electronics, audio and video components

Education & Engagement: Design, delivery and evaluation of creative, educational and engaging experiences for diverse participants in a variety of contexts including festivals and events

Project Management: Consultation and design, artist/ stakeholder liaison, management of staff/ volunteers, procurement of goods and services, resource and time management, event production, evaluation and reporting, excellent computer skills

Other: Bi-lingual: English and French, Open Driver's License, Senior First Aid

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Education (1st Class Honours), QLD University of Technology
Diploma in Visual Arts: Arts, Craft, Community Arts, Southbank TAFE
Certificate III in Business Administration, Axiom College
Certificate II in Project Management: Navigation, Southbank TAFE/ Youth Arts QLD

ATTRIBUTES

Excellent problem solver – able to find solutions under pressure
Eye for design and developed sense of aesthetic
Highly organised, efficient and strong sense of initiative
Open and welcoming manner with clients, team members and community

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Installation Artist – Hive Mind (2015 - Ongoing), The Planting Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Murri School, State Library of Queensland

Touch sensitive installation exploring community voices
Community engagement workshops

Regional Program Coordinator and Teaching Artist (2016 - Current), The Song Room

Mentoring and Liaison with Teaching artists and School communities
Delivery of community engagement projects

Installation Artist - Sounds Fishy (2016), Imaginary Theatre / Brisbane Powerhouse

Development of unique and interactive installation for children under 5
Weekly pop up installation at Brisbane Powerhouse for 3 months

Sculptor and Prop Designer (2015), Macnas, Ireland

6 week residency with internationally acclaimed company
Creation of large scale kinaesthetic sculptures for theatre festival in Galway, Ireland

Community Artist (2015), Shockwave Festival

Lantern tunnel co-created with 10-17 year olds living in Central Western QLD
Community Lantern Parade as culminating event of the program

Play-Installation Designer and Fabricator (2013 – Current), State Library of Queensland

Various interactive play installations designed for children and families
Program design and facilitation

Project Manager (2013/14, 2014/15), Major Projects, Woodford Folk Festival

Spectacle performances featuring giant puppets, pyrotechnics, live music & large lantern images
Coordination of QUT internship program and community engagement

Installation Artist - Connect the Dots (2013), Burning Man Festival, USA

Large-scale interactive game

INSTALLATIONS

Hive Mind (2018) Caboolture Montessori School; (2018) Milpera SHS; (2017) The Murri School; (2015/16), Woodford Folk Festival; (2015), The Planting Festival
- Touch sensitive installation exploring community voices
Library on the Lawn (2017), Brisbane Festival
- Workshop program and exhibition space for children and families
Stuff We Like (2015), Shockwave Festival
- Lantern tunnel co-created with 10-17 year olds living in Central Western QLD
Navigating the Skies (2015), State Library of QLD
- Steampunk machine with various observation instruments inc Telescope/ Kalaidoscope
Under the Stars (2014), State Library of QLD
- Immersive installation inc soundscape of night in the Australian desert
Connect the Dots (2013), Burning Man Festival, USA
- Large-scale interactive game
The Music Box (2013), State Library of QLD
- User contributed, collaborative musical instrument using touch sensitive technology
Native Animals (2013), Heads Up Film Services
- Over 20 soft sculpture native Australian animals for play installation
The Orchestra (2013), State Library of QLD
- Interactive mixed media piece inc video composition, costumes and dressing room
Musical Train (2013), State Library of QLD
- Interactive musical train set
Build-a-Bob (2013), Heads Up Film Services
- Custom made game props for Nickelodeon Kids TV show
Mango Tree (2013), State Library of QLD
- Soft sculpture mango tree with handmade fruit bats

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY ARTSWORK

Program Officer - Young People and Families (2018- current), State Library of Queensland
Program and Events Officer - Signature Program (2015, 2016, 2017), State Library of Queensland
Gallery Manager (2013, 2014), Rainbow Serpent Festival VIC
Project Officer (2013), The Edge
Artist Transport Manager (2013), Symbiosis Gathering USA
Assistant Project Coordinator (2010-2011), State Library of Queensland
Art on Site Supervisor (2011), Woodford Folk Festival
Community Artist (2010), The Murri School
Administrative Assistant (2006), QPAC’s Out of the Box Festival
Arts Administration Assistant (2004-2005), Hands On Art
Arts worker (1999-2003, 2010), Woodford Folk Festival Fire Event