EVER since the release of the Loxton Report in 2011, the phrase “arts hub” has become a “buzzword” around the local art scene. News is to hand that Artsound, Bilk Gallery, Canberra Glassworks, CCAS Manuka, GAD, M16 Artspace, Megalo Print Studio + Gallery and PhotoAccess have formed the “Inner South Arts Hub”. More of this in December.

MAESTRO of the Griffyn Ensemble, Michael Sollis, is off to north Sweden with astronomer Fred Watson to write a new show. Who can forget their collaboration on the “Southern Sky” concept a couple of years ago?

CONGRATULATIONS to Queanbeyan designers, Thylacine, who partnered with the WA Museum, Mental Media, Gibson Group and Illuminated Design on the National Anzac Centre in Albany harbour, recently opened by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and NZ PM John Key.

SHORTIS and Simpson are turning on a Christmas show called “We’ve Got Our Standards”. It’s full of, well, standards, given the usual S&S treatment, with “You Are My Sunshine” sung in a Turkish scale, for instance. At Teatro Vivaldi, Saturday, November 29, bookings to vivaldirestaurant.com.au or 6257 2718.

BELCONNEN Arts Centre’s lively creative program director, Jacque Schultze, is off to Sydney. We hear they’re looking for someone to fill her capacious shoes.

MARSDEN Art Group is going a bit wild at Watson Arts Centre for its annual exhibition, until November 30. This year they’ve invited guest artists Barak Zelig and Stephen Harrison to exhibit with the group in a show exploring the “Steampunk” art movement.

THE New York-based Australian Guitar Duo of former Canberran guitar superstars Rupert Boyd and Jacob Cordover will be playing compositions and arrangements by Weiss, Giuliani, Ravel, Edwards, Pixinguinha and Rodrigo in Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm, on November 29 (tickets at the door) and St Paul’s Anglican Parish Hall, Cooma, 3pm, on November 30 (tickets Cooma School of Music or at the door).

ANU staff, students and alumni are turning on an end-of-year celebration in the ANU School of Art precinct from 5pm-8pm on November 27 with the School of Art Graduating Exhibition, live music and DJ sets from School of Music students and alumni, a bake-off and a chic lounge for ANU graduates.