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Dominic Mico interviewed by Bill Stephens [sound recording]
Bib ID 3582855
Format AudioAudio
Author
Mico, Dominic
 
Access Conditions Access open for research, written permission is required for personal copies and public use for 10 years from the date of the interview. 
Description 2005. 
4 sound files (ca. 234 min.) 
Summary

Dominic Mico, born 1946 in Calabria, Italy speaks about his family background; his early childhood; leaving Calabria at age 9; his father's migration to Queensland in the 1950's; his life with his mother in Italy after his father migrated to Australia; his arrival in Australia with his mother and his sister; their early days in Queanbeyan, NSW; his childhood in Narrabundah, ACT; neighbours; his father's work; Antonio Maripodi and family; his mother's response to life in Australia; his education in Australia; translating for his parents; Frank Agostino; migration; Arthur Laing; his ambition to be a painter; his parents response to his first job after leaving school; early days as a spray painter; his first job in the Public Service; Robyn Gibson and the Gibson family; Canberra Repertory, his first design commission; early acting experiences; forming "Blue Folk"; his trip back to Italy to study painting (1973); how the growth of "Blue Folk" influenced the development of the arts in Canberra; his children, Rocco and Karma; the development of Strathnairn and "Blue Folk" and some early experiences and events; his production of "Treasure Island" which was staged at the Nerang Pool; his involvement in the establishment of community arts in the ACT; receiving the inaugural $20,000 "Roz. Bower Memorial Scholarship" and using the scholarship to return to Italy.

Mico discusses Canberry Fair and its eventual demise; Aldo Gennaris; the establishment of TAU Theatre; Tina Van Ray; his entry into ACT politics and its repercussions for TAU Theatre; his three marriages; the fire destroying the TAU Theatre and the aftermath of the fire; being invited by Tuggeranong Community Arts taking on the role of Community Arts Officer; his input into the design of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre; establishing a multi-cultural festival; his resignation from Tuggeranong Community Arts Centre; the Canberra Festival and the Multi-Cultural Festival dispute; his position as the Artistic Director of the Canberra Multi-Cultural Festival and its demise; his concept of multi-culturalism; how he currently sets up the multi-cultural festival; the potential to grow the Canberra multi-cultural festival as a unique and important National Capital event; whether his political career has been an advantage in his work as a festival director; the importance of festivals; his weekly Canberra Times newspaper column; his contribution to the cultural development of Canberra; his personal attachment to Canberra; his recent health challenge; the attraction of the process of playwriting for him; his award as a 'Cavalier in the Italian Republic Order of Merit'; his achievements.

Biography/History

Dominic Mico is an experienced playwright having had 25 of his works produced. He has been a theatre director, a radio theatre critic and founder and artistic director of community theatre organisations around Canberra. He worked as the arts and special events director of the Canberra Day celebrations back in 1976 which is now the Canberra Festival.

Notes

Recorded on November 1, 2005 at Canberra, A.C.T.

Digital master; National Library of Australia, Oral History collection;

Related Material Collection of photographs of Domenic Mico, interviewed by Bill Stephens at the National Library of Australia, 1 November 2005; located at: National Library of Australia Pictures collection PIC NL39520 LOC nla.int-nl39520 Online access. 
Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (11 p.) 
Subjects Mico, Dominic. - Interviews.  |  Arts administrators - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra - Interviews.  |  Dramatists, Australian - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra - Interviews.
Occupation Arts administrators.
Other authors/contributors Stephens, Bill, 1936-

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    Details Collect From
    ORAL TRC 5537
    Copy: Recording
    Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
    ORAL TRC 5537 (summary)
    Copy: Summary
    Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)

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    Members of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori communities are advised that this catalogue contains names and images of deceased people. All users of the catalogue should also be aware that certain words, terms or descriptions may be culturally sensitive and may be considered inappropriate today, but may have reflected the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written.