Theatre director, writer and arts charity leader
2018 Australian of the Year | Tasmania
Motivated by the closure of a Burnie paper mill 25 years ago, Scott established Big hART, a charity which uses the arts to bring about social justice. Since 1992 this award-winning theatre director and writer has worked with more than 50 disadvantaged communities to bring about generational change.
Scott's miniature manuals and ‘Chinese junk’ model
Creativity and social conscience are at the heart of Scott Rankin’s work. His organisation, BIG hART, collaborates with communities across the nation to tell their ‘untold’ stories in ways that affirm their experiences, define their aspirations and activate change.
These miniature manuals have been with Scott since the beginning of BIG hART. Pocket-sized and designed to be always at hand, they are full of ideas for running workshops and creating projects.
Another work companion, the model junk, is symbolic of both Scott’s childhood home and his sense of artistic freedom.
Manuals and model boat from Scott Rankin
Empowering stories
We bring the stories of marginalised communities into the mainstream through creative, artistic mediums. Often the communities don’t think they have a story to tell because they’ve never been listened to. But we engage and we listen. It’s harder to hurt someone or ignore them if you know their story.
Strengthening communities
Every community and project BIG hART works with is different, but we work over time, not just in and out. Our aim is always to build on existing community assets, strengthen vulnerable individuals, and create long-term attitudinal shifts. Our hope is for all communities to flourish.
Outside boundaries
I grew up living on a boat, a Chinese junk, and I think in many ways this influenced my creative life. Not growing up within conventional boundaries meant I often felt on the outside looking in – perhaps useful for a playwright. I was open to trying new things or working across established lines. This small model has always travelled with me, sitting on my desk. Like me, it gets more decrepit over time, a reminder of that early freedom.
Australian of the Year conversations 15 Nov 2018
Scott Rankin: Cultural justice and the right to thrive
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