With roots deeply embedded in Brighton, Martin Blackwell talks about his upbringing in the area, to his recent work delivering local events.

Tell us a little bit about your­self?

Quite proactive for what I believe in. I’m a quirky and mostly humble individual who works in Cultural Industries

What was your path to work­ing here in the Brighton mu­nicipality with the Material In­stitute?

Brighton municipality is the region where I was raised and grew up – so it’s been amaz­ing to be working here all these years later. To be now working in here in a busy events role is something I did not anticipate. My family are from Elderslie and Broadmarsh, so the area is special to me. I attended school at Brighton Primary. Since the 24 Carrot Garden program was established in Lutruwita / Tasmania in 2013, I have provided assistance with the delivery of our community out­reach, workshops and events. Namely, Bond Place in Gage­brook is where the community kitchen for Material Institute has one of its community sites, and I have been working on its activities from the very outset in 2017. Prior to the establish­ment of Material Institute, I have worked on the Museum of Old + New Art (MONA) events since MONA FOMA was first established in 2009, delivering the Museum’s onsite enter­tainment program for about a decade.

What is your role at the Material Institute?

My role is ‘Musicologist’ which is a quirky and fun title that was allocated to me by our management. My role covers event delivery, mu­sic programming, artist liaison and production tasks generally. Our events consist of a weekly community outreach at our Bond Place Community site in Gagebrook. Material Institute has delivered major events each year with our annual Winterfest in collaboration with the Ku­talayna Collective and playing cohost to ChangeFest in 2023, which featured our inaugural River Party on the Bridgewater Foreshore. Our event collabora­tions are vast and extensive, de­livered statewide with essential community organisations who deliver outstanding work.

What do you enjoy most about working here?

Simply, it’s wonderful to be working in Brighton as it is home. I remember the Brighton area and its surrounding districts very, very well from growing up here and it’s totally amazing to see the progression that has occurred in the area. Brighton has become a substantially busy, bustling and enterprising region, but also a culturally diverse and safe community for people to live, to attend school, and to raise their families.

Who do you work with on a day to day basis in our com­munities?

Material Institute’s community site Bond Place in Gagebrook is our weekly check-in point with the local Commu­nity. At Bond Place our incred­ibly talented chef Vlad Panevin prepares nutritious and healthy free meals for the Community. Bond Place is a community space open for all, in lower Gagebrook. Bond Place is ac­tivated every Thursday for the public with free art activities, gardening, music workshops, live performance and Vlad’s sensational lunch offerings.

What have been some of the challenges?

Audience development would be the main challenge, and having people being acquainted with our artistic and creative pro­gramming takes a little time to become familiarised, naturally. In my personal view, Material Institute has broken ground by introducing new events in the Brighton municipality, achiev­ing familiarisation and enjoying amazing rapport and support from the local community. Introducing new events within various regions is a wonderful type of challenge: intrepid, daunting, never boring and ultimately inspiring.

What gets you up each morn­ing?

It’s always going to be a happy day if I get to enjoy my pre-sunrise 4km jogging rou­tine! Early morning sunshine on Mt Dromedary is as pictur­esque as it gets and is there to be appreciated!

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I’m working on our Bond Place program. Also readying for our very next Kipli & Kani gather­ings for our community which are delivered due to the hard work and dedication of the Ku­talayna Collective and Connect­ed Beginnings team. I’m also thesis writing in preparation for further postgrad research at Uni (Event Management, De­sign Science & Sustainability). Currently writing two albums of music which will be sent places once it is complete (at lucky long last).

What are you most proud of from your work here in Brighton so far?

It’s simply wonderful to be here and to be involved in a slight way. To have forged new networks and connections with local organi­sations and community groups which includes, but not limited to, the Brighton Council, The Brighton Youth Action Group (BYAG), Tagari Lia, Gagebrook Community House, Connected Beginnings and the Under One Rainbow Community. To net­work with these amazing enter­prising entities entails so much for the future of the Brighton Community in turns of venue activation, audience develop­ment and employment oppor­tunity too within the Cultural and Creative Arts Industries.

In terms of working with vari­ous cultural groups, it has been constantly amazing to liaise with Brighton’s multicultural community, for the diverse skill set that local people possess in terms of cultural wares, artistic practise and musical prowess. The skills of our people who have either migrated and newly based themselves in our com­munity can never be understat­ed. For me personally, working with people of CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) back­grounds consistently evokes inspiration and awe.

What do you see as the positives of our communities here in Brighton?

Brighton hosts a great multicultural populace and to see CALD com­munities represented at our events and public gatherings substantially is very motivating and appealing. The burgeoning cultural and creative industries in Brighton is very exciting also with events and arts related happenings increasing year by year. This trend is incredibly important for our community and long may it reign! Prac­titioners and designers in the past (myself included) may have felt in years gone by that it was better to be based in the Hobart CBD, or move interstate to seek audiences and sales, educational opportunities too, to practise and to deliver on artistic pursuits. There is a real perception currently that being an arts practitioner based in the Brighton Community makes good sense. Employment opportunities in the arts are thrilling and exciting, and it’s wonderful to see Brighton being considered more as a demo­graphic which hosts burgeoning arts and cultural activities.

What piece of advice would you have given your younger self when you think back to­day?

Go for a jog at 6am more frequently and it will benefit you very much and be sure to check out the amazing view on Mt Dromedary whilst you are at it. Don’t expect to be able to play for the Brighton Foot­ball Club in your future years and not expect to incur injury either!