In the midst of a cost of living crisis, the Old Fitz Theatre (OFT) is supporting our vibrant arts/culture sector with 2 days of affordable headshot sessions for artists, doubling as an integral fundraiser for the Fitz’s 2025 operations.

Across 12 hours the OFT will offer 34x 20-minute sessions in which artists will be photographed by Patrick Phillips in a studio set-up at the OFT. These sessions will be priced at just $50, or $30 for students. This is an ENORMOUSLY competitive price, with average headshot packages in Sydney ranging from $445-$1100.

Why are we doing this? As an independent theatre venue we have found that creatives often don’t have up-to-date headshots, especially non-actors. Reasons for this are the cost being prohibitive, waitlists for photographers being too long, and the effort of organising them being overwhelming. We want to provide an easy, accessible solution, and ensure all creatives can be visually represented/celebrated, and have the tools they need to pursue professional opportunities.

It is important to us that this initiative fairly compensates our photographer, Patrick. Patrick is an emerging photographer, and we are very excited to support his professional development and help him build his portfolio, and through this grant we will be able to pay him a fee of ~$66/hour.
As an independent theatre venue, we are constantly required to dedicate significant resources towards fundraising efforts to keep our lights on. We do not charge upfront fees to artists using the space, but instead risk-share with artists via a box-office split model. And the nature of that is, well, risky! Through fundraising efforts like this, we can not only service our sector now, but ensure that we will still be here standing strong in the years to come, continuing the good work!

PLUS, this grant will allow us to purchase the equipment we need to make this activity a fixture of the OFT’s annual program so that we can have a long-term, sustainable impact.

This project will make Sydney more awesome by (1) providing a vital and inexpensive service for Sydney artists, (2) supporting a not-for-profit independent theatre venue that is beloved by the community, (3) upskilling an emerging photographer, and (4) connecting creatives from across disciplines, (re)introducing them to the OFT, and contributing to a greater sense of community in the arts.

The awesome impacts are further broken down as follows:

• Support for Local Artists: These affordable headshot sessions will provide a critical resource for artists who might otherwise be priced out of high-quality photographic services. This initiative helps level the playing field for artists across different disciplines, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to present themselves professionally.

• Boosting Visibility and Equity: By promoting these headshot sessions for “artists” as opposed to purely just “actors”, we are addressing the disparity in visibility between actors and other creative professionals. This project is awesome in the way it promotes a more equitable representation of all contributors on creative projects, enhancing recognition and appreciation for the entire team.

• Supporting Emerging Talent: Through the professional development this opportunity offers photographer Patrick Phillips we are injecting fresh talent into Sydney’s creative community.

• Sustaining the Old Fitz Theatre: By generating funds through this initiative, the Old Fitz Theatre can continue to operate and support the arts community. The success of this project will help ensure the venue remains a vibrant part of Sydney’s cultural landscape and nightlife.

• Long-term Impact: The equipment purchased through this grant will allow us to create a sustainable model that benefits the arts community year after year, providing a valuable service and contributing to the overall health of Sydney’s creative sector.

• Community Engagement: By offering this service at a significantly reduced rate, the project fosters a sense of community and collaboration among artists, reinforcing the supportive network that is essential for a thriving cultural scene.