Since 2006 Streetwise Opera has been partnering with organisations abroad – the aims of the work have been capacity building and training for artists and homeless workers and being a catalyst for arts to be used more widely and effectively in the homeless sector.

In partnership with the British Council, Streetwise Opera is launching a project in Japan from 2009 and Australia from 2010.

The work is being designed as a complementary project while our installation My Secret Heart tours to both countries.

Streetwise Opera in Japan

In Japan, Streetwise will be working with homeless people, artists, arts organisations, universities and homeless workers in Kamagaski (Osaka) and Kotobuki (Yokohama). Both areas have a high density of homeless people and people living in hostel accommodation. Streetwise’s role is to be a catalyst for arts to be used to benefit these communities; to create dialogue between artists and homeless workers and to engage in capacity building for both sectors. We have been very fortunate to work with some inspirational social activists who are creating important work on the ground – Kanayo Ueda of Cocoroom in Kamagasaki www.cocoroom.org and Okabe Tomohiko of Koto-Labo www.koto-lab.com in Kotobuki.

The work will take place in August/September leading up to presentations of My Secret Heart at the Yokohama Mother Port Festival celebrating 150 years of Yokohama. We will also be involved in the Creative Cities International Conference taking place in Yokohama at that time.

Streetwise Opera in Australia

Streetwise has been in contact with Jonathan Welch of the Choir of Hope and Inspiration since the choir was founded in 2006. Since then the choir has become a household name in Australia, producing sell-out concerts throughout the country and a CD that reached the top 10.

Through our partnership with the British Council, Streetwise Opera will be working with the Choir and other organisations in April/May 2010 when My Secret Heart tours to Melbourne. We will run workshops with the choir on theatrical techniques and devising plus helping with organisational capacity building.

Streetwise Opera in North America

Streetwise ran two residencies in 2006 and 2007 in Massachusetts collaborating with the Vermont Arts Exchange and Mass State Department. We ran workshops in homeless centres in Boston and a state hospital in Massachusetts, working with over 180 participants.