This is Not Art

09:00am - 10:00am

Breakfast Book Club: Books You Couldn't Put Down

Is there anything better than a chat about books over breakfast? Start your day with authors talking about books that have changed, shocked, moved and inspired them.

10:00am - 06:00pm

Artist Mobile Matchmaking

Can an app designed to quench our amorous urges, be subverted to create fertile creative collaborations? This digital intervention uses tinder/grindr to facilitate artist hook-ups during the three-day festival. Co-presented by Critical Animals and the National ...

10:00am - 12:00pm

Writing for Kids

Children's books come in all shapes and sizes and are an art unto themselves. From picture books to YA novels, come get the low down on how to write for kids. Supported by SA Writers' Centre.

10:00am - 11:00am

The Poets are Alright

Poetry is everywhere, more publications publish it and young poets and slammers are gaining international recognition. But is it still put in the too-hard basket? We ask four charismatic poets about the changing face of verse.

10:00am - 11:00am

Sweatshop Showcase

SWEATSHOP is devoted to empowering Western Sydney communities through literacy and critical thinking. Facilitating ongoing workshops and programs, SWEATSHOP is housed at the University of Western Sydney, Bankstown Campus.

10:00am - 04:00pm

Side A/Side B

Experienced by two people at a time: take a seat, choose a side and conjure up the face of the one you love. A hypnotic, contemplative place of love and loss.

10:00am - 04:00pm

Hapticity

By working intimately with participants Robbie Karmel creates drawings of tactile, visual, and haptic interactions. This is an open invitation to experience first hand the act and process of drawing.

11:00am - 12:00pm

On pirates, surveillance and democracy

Join James Arvanitakis to discuss his new book on piracy: end of innovation or access to free stuff? And, does piracy fund terrorism? In partnership with University of Western Sydney. Octapod and The Lock Up present Critical Animals as part of This is Not ...

11:00am - 05:00pm

Newcastle Mirage Limited Edition October Release

Newcastle Mirage is the only dedicated Art & Cultire zine in Newcastle, focused purely on Novacastrians and their artistic pursuits. The Special 'This is Not Art' October Edition will be incredibly unique since it will be the first time Mirage delivers ...

11:00am - 01:00pm

The First Five

Ever wanted to try stand-up? This workshop will help you turn those pithy anecdotes into a solid five minutes of material, ready for your first open mic night.

11:00am - 12:00pm

Exodus

Around the country a brain drain is taking artists from smaller towns to the big cities. Talk with writers who made the move from their hometown to the big smoke.

11:00am - 05:00pm

Zine Fair

Zines, stalls and fun things galore. Roll-up to the NYWF’s annual zine fair with a pocket full of changes and bag yourself some sweet small press goodness.

11:00am - 12:00pm

Whose Identity Is It Anyway?

A discussion around identity, ownership and permission in writing. On why cis folks shouldn't try to speak for trans folk, and if it's ever okay to write about identities that are not your own.

12:00pm - 06:00pm

Three Wishes

Walk past thoughts, doors, hopes, and shop fronts. Newcastle shares their wishes for Australia in ten years time. An audio walk. Meet out the front of Cream on Hunter.

12:00pm - 01:00pm

The End of Art

Claims of ‘the end of art’ have been made throughout the history of western culture. This panel will assess these claims and ask, do art and aesthetics have a future? Octapod and The Lock Up present Critical Animals as part of This is Not Art.

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Far Flung

Relationships and distance... an unhappy mix? Choose your time, choose your venue and join the story as it unfolds. Held in various venues, including The Edwards, The Store and Hunter Design School. This project was supported thorough Creative Partnerships ...

12:00pm - 01:00pm

Alone in the Night

What happens late at night when you're all alone? Do you find the dark hours times of creative fury or gaping holes of terror? Some the most intriguing ideas come out of the darkest hours.

12:00pm - 01:00pm

Speaking in Tongues

When language is your greatest tool, is having a second, third or fourth language a help or hindrance? What influence does growing up with multiple languages have on writers? Supported by SA Writers' Centre.

12:00pm - 12:00am

The True Story of World War Three

World War Three ended last Thursday… in case you missed it, here’s a recap. We’ve brought the darkly prophetic writings of novelist JG Ballard into the 21st century through spoken word and electronic music mayhem.

12:00pm - 12:00am

sincerely yours, (Love Letter Project)

The manifestation of longing between loved ones... love letters link with a tangible resonance.

01:00pm - 02:00pm

Mustard Chef

Sandwiches! Writers Festivals don’t have enough of them! Ever wanted to watch a die-hard foodie create this most humble of foodstuffs? Come see food bloggers make lunch and talk shop. Supported by the Newcastle Farmers Market.

01:00pm - 01:45pm

Dank Beats, Airtight Barrels

The stealthy world of the gay beat meets the testosterone stricken locker room in this public hazing of intimate encounters.

01:00pm - 02:00pm

On Selfies

In an age where the means of photographing and exhibiting are accessible, instant, and individually curated, join us as we discuss the implications for the situated self.

01:00pm - 03:00pm

Critical Stages Forum

Critical Stages hosts a forum for independent artists and producers to develop skills, seek advice from industry practitioners, and engage in discussion on the challenges facing the independent sector.

02:00pm - 04:00pm

Speak Easy

A curated conversation/performance with discussions around art, wellness and sustainability. There will be food and wine to share and The Socio Creative Trust and participants will consider the theme of "Possible Futures".

02:00pm - 04:00pm

Scum Launch

Join the cool kids of Scum Mag at the launch party for their Blue Light Disco-themed zine published especially for NYWF. This project was supported thorough Creative Partnerships Australia’s pilot program - MATCH: Crowdfunding for the Independent Arts ...

02:00pm - 03:00pm

What’s so great about the novel?

The novel has long been held up as the ultimate format, and publishers still seem to be stuck on it. Explore the beauty and limitations of this much loved and hated format.

02:00pm - 04:00pm

Comics With Friends and Strangers

Not a 'how-to' class so much as a meeting of like-minded folk who enjoy drawing comics or want to start. Treats, chatting, sketches, activities and fun to be had.

02:00pm - 05:00pm

Is this your life

Do you lead your thoughts or do your thoughts lead you? Let this time and gender blending performance help you understand where you truly are.

02:00pm - 03:00pm

Cultural Hierarchies in Music

Why is rock valued more highly than pop and folk valued more than rap? This panel explores cultural hierarchies in music and how new critics are challenging the status quo. Supported by QLD Writers' Centre.

03:00pm - 04:00pm

More than icing/the whole cake

We all know technology is an amazing thing: microwaves, vibrators and iPhones, oh my! And we all know that technology can be part of amazing Art, and Theatre, too. But how can we move beyond it being a nice addition to performance? We talk about works that ...

03:00pm - 05:00pm

Confession Booth

In the cold light of the morning after, Confession Booth invites some NYWF favourites to the stage and asks them to confess their deepest, darkest secrets.

03:00pm - 04:00pm

Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction

From live writing to iPhone gallery guides, discover if digital technologies expand the diverse possibilities of creative arts and writing, or whether our impressions are dulled by all the noise.

03:00pm - 04:00pm

Editor Safe Space

Sometimes referred to as the silent seamstresses of the arts, editors don't often get a chance together. A guided chat about all things editorial by editors, for editors. Supported by ACT Writers Centre.

03:00pm - 04:00pm

Why YA?

Huge books like The Hunger Games and The Fault in Our Stars are leading readers of all ages to this difficult to pin down genre. But what makes YA different to just A, and why choose to write in this genre? Supported by SA Writers' Centre.

04:00pm - 04:45pm

The Frankensteined Monologues

We’ve created a monster. One typewriter. Two festivals. Hundreds of voices. See the already sewn, build the next beast.

05:00pm - 06:00pm

Tinder Poetry Reading

A final reading from the online-dating-inspired Tinder poetry anthology produced collaboratively over the CA festival. Co-presented by Critical Animals and the National Young Writers' Festival. Octapod and The Lock Up present Critical Animals as part of ...

05:00pm - 06:00pm

Tonsils + Tweezers

Tonsils and Tweezers are best friends. Tonight is their high school reunion. And they want to do something. Something unspeakable

05:00pm - 06:00pm

Salon Talks with Clem Ford: Feminist Futures

Ever wanted to talk about the apocalypse with David Henley? Discuss feminist futures with Clementine Ford? Three of our festival favourites are giving you the chance to get up close and personal and talk about subjects close to their heart. The first five people ...

05:00pm - 06:00pm

Is Jurassic Park A Thing That Should Really Happen?

A discussion around identity, ownership and permission in writing. On why cis folks shouldn't try to speak for trans folk, and if it's ever okay to write about identities that are not your own.

06:00pm - 07:00pm

Poetry is Dead

A multisensory collaborative performance between poet Josh Donellan and sound/projection artist Mike Willmett. Comic and cosmic, personal and political, humorous and heart-breaking.

06:00pm - 07:00pm

Bomb Collar

The Last Singer is giving a secret concert, 10 Ballads of the Dead Future. Revolutionaries Only.

06:00pm - 07:30pm

World is Fukt: The Politics Panel

One year after our analysis of 'Election 2013', we examine Abbott, Shorten, Milne, Palmer, and the general state of Australian politics, ultimately asking the question: Is the world really fukt?

06:00pm - 08:00pm

EPIC WORD-NERD BATTLEDOME

Part Spelling Bee. Part Literary Olympics. Part Hunger Games for nerds. Join the ultimate battle of wits to uncover the festival’s Champion Writer. Enter the NYWF battle dome.

06:00pm - 07:30pm

World is Fukt: The Politics Panel

One year after our analysis of 'Election 2013', we examine Abbott, Shorten, Milne, Palmer, and the general state of Australian politics, ultimately asking the question: Is the world really fukt? Octapod and The Lock Up present Critical Animals as ...

06:00pm - 07:00pm

Crack Family Dinner: I’ve Loved You for the Longest Time

Durational performance and installations are slowly making their way more often into mainstream venues and festivals. What are the installations or durational works that have inspired and excited you? What is next for the form? How long can they go for? Join our ...

07:00pm - 08:00pm

Eucapocalypts Now

Eucapocalypts Now is a poetry performance which prizes open the eyes to an increasingly likely future that’s neither utopia nor apocalypse, and asks – can you face it without flinching?

07:00pm - 07:15pm

Electric Naga

You're a ghost driving a meat coated skeleton made from stardust, what have you to be scared of? Dance | Dark Circus | Insanity | Beauty. An experimental performance piece combining new technology and ancient moves. A plug and play performance.

08:00pm - 12:00am

Crack Closing Party

Party with Crack like it's the end of the world.

08:00pm - 10:00pm

Play That Sexy Music

What was on your first sex mix? A certain song turn you on or off? These hilarious writers discuss how music has, for better or worse, impacted their sex lives.

08:30pm - 12:00am

Madhouse TiNA Hip Hop Showcase

Newcastle Music's underground music kings "Madhouse", throw one of their signature parties to close out and celebrate another great year at the This Is Not Art festival, featuring live performances, giveaways, DJs and all of the party! This ...

11:00pm - 12:00am

After the Apocalypse - Dystopian Late Night Readings

The future is a perilous and possibly post-apocalyptic place and these dystopian late night readings are ready to take you there.