A BRIEF HISTORY OF 'TAFTA'
While The Australian Forum for Textile Arts, Ltd (TAFTA) became an actual company in 1987, it was born as early as 1974 at a meeting held at Sturt Crafts Centre, Mittagong, New South Wales. Twenty-five people attended, a main topic for discussion was the lack of trained textile teachers in the crafts. Six formative years followed, with other gatherings taking place, and many topics being discussed; then Brisbane hosted FORUM '80, concentrating on workshops, and communication among a wide variety of textile crafts people.
A number of things resulted from this conference, including the decision to go ahead with a magazine, 'Fibre Forum', now Textile Fibre Forum, which originally came out twice a year; then three times a year; then moved to colour (1987) and then became quarterly in 2000. Textile Fibre Forum celebrates its 100th issue in November 2010.
With the November issue #104, ownership of Textile Fibre Forum transferred to ArtWear Publications (AWP). AWP retains the services of editor Janet De Boer, and is pledged to maintain the magazine’s style, look and quality.
Since those early days there have been many more developments including, in 1987, the actual formation of a non-profit arts company limited by guarantee (The Australian Forum for Textiles Arts Ltd) and legally structured according to ASIC regulations, with a Board of Directors and an employee (with the title of 'Executive Director', although the E.D. does not sit on the board). The liability of any one member of the company is limited to $15.00. The purpose of the company is to promote the textile arts; and, like all non-profits, this means that money raised through the activities of the company is to be used for that purpose in a very obvious and carefully audited manner.
As well, 'FORUM' conferences have continued: Halls Gap in 1982; Canberra in 1984; Tamworth in 1987; Wollongong in 1989, with various committees staging these week-long events. Eventually TAFTA settled on Frensham School in Mittagong NSW as the home of an annual FORUM, and encouraged Regional FORUMs through a policy of auspicing developed in collaboration with Peggy Buckingham of Western Australia, the first person to stage a Regional FORUM.
The Mittagong FORUM continued for 14 years, until that 'April' event moved to Kinross-Wolaroi School in Orange NSW in 2005 where the 'April FORUM in Orange' was run successfully at Kinross-Wolaroi School for 7 years. It is now moving to the Blue Mountains of NSW (April 14-20 2011) and has been re-branded as the CONTEXTART FORUM.
For the year 2000, the Board decided to make the magazine quarterly, and to develop a second annual FORUM at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, as part of its brief to promote the textile arts, and in an effort to generate enough income for a more stable employee situation for the company, something that remains elusive. The tenth anniversary of The Geelong FORUM occurred in spring of 2009, with TAFTA fully able to celebrate a wonderful achievement there - and needing to consider its options for the future.
Click on Geelong FORUM to read about the program for 2012 by mid-November 2011 when full details of TAFTA’s Geelong FORUM 2012 will have been posted. Enrolments for the 18 workshops will also be open at this time. A ballot for places will be held on 11th December 2011 but a number of workshops will definitely remain open after that time – always ask about what is of interest to you.
In 2008, The Board of TAFTA took the decision that TAFTA would no longer directly auspice Regional FORUMs but would make the E.D.'s expertise available on an advisory basis, within reason. Partially this was in recognition of the growing strength of textile events around the country. You can consult the News & Events page for this website and find any current details under the listings for the relevant state(s). Each month, towards the beginning of the month, the News & Events page is updated with listings for workshops, exhibitions, etc. coming up in Australia; scroll through it state by state to find what may be of particular interest to you. As well a regular e-newsletter has now commenced and you are very welcome to subscribe at no cost; see the Home Page.
Exchange publications on textiles are received from all over the world, and TAFTA maintains a Resources Centre of books and periodicals, available for any member to visit by appointment at the TAFTA main office in Brisbane which is now combined with Gallery 159, a dedicated gallery space operated by TAFTA as a further method of promoting the textile arts.
The Company's main office is located at 159 Payne Road, The Gap (4061) in Brisbane; the postal address is P.O. Box 38, The Gap Q4061. In addition to its employee, the Executive Director (currently Janet De Boer); and a Board of Directors ; TAFTA is assisted by an Honorary Treasurer, Brian Harley Tucker of Brisbane; and an Honorary Solicitor, Paul Sugden, currently residing in Victoria.
