Answers submitted by Managing Editor and Development Manager, Tierney Seccull.

Tell us about Off The Leash and how it started?
In 2006, around a kitchen table during one wet season, team members of former organisation Top End Arts Marketing decided to put together a monthly "What's on" publication to support the art and events of the Top End.

Officially established in 2007, Off The Leash Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation with a focus on promoting Northern Territory events, arts and culture. Since then, OTL Magazine (OTL) has been printed 10 times per year, and in 2022, expanded to be a Territory-wide publication to include content from, and distribution to, the Red Centre.

What role does the Off The Leash play in the local community? Who is your audience?
OTL is a go-to resource for locals and visitors to find out about what's on in the NT, through a user-based website and free monthly magazine. It also offers creatives and event organisers affordable options to promote their events, with a free website service that feeds into the print magazine, as well as competitive rates in print.

OTL's audience is anyone that is keen to engage with the incredible bounty of arts, events, tourism and culture on offer in the NT, and provides a cultural snapshot of what is happening in the Territory's thriving creative scene. Simply put, OTL is for everyone!

What kind of events do you cover?
OTL covers a wide range of events through a range of categories. These include Around Town, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Books & Film, Food & Drink, Festivals, and newly-launched tourism category, Explore. In OTL, you'll find anything from markets to salsa classes, art exhibitions to book launches, film screenings to workshops, and cultural festivals to wine and dine events. We've got it all, baby.

Who makes up the editorial team?
The core team at OTL is quite small! It includes a Managing Editor and Development Manager (four days), an Editorial Assistant (three days), and a casual Graphic Designer. We also have freelance writers based in Alice Springs / Mparntwe to cover events in the Red Centre.

Are there any specific events that NT locals celebrate that the wider country might be unaware of?
There is so much happening in the NT, that a monthly magazine really isn't enough to come close to covering it. But something very special about the NT is the wide range of First Nations art exhibitions and festivals to experience. This could be from exhibitions in small art galleries in Territory towns, to Barunga Festival and the annual Tiwi Football Grand Final and Annual Art Sale. 

The opportunity to meet with artists, to learn about their works and their connection to Country, is very special. It's something we think all Australians and welcome visitors would benefit greatly from.

What brands would you like to work with more?
We are always open to working with brands, businesses and organisations that are passionate about the art, events, tourism and culture of the Northern Territory. We are especially keen to make our unique offerings known to the rest of the country, and the world, and encourage anyone to hit us up if that sounds like something they can get behind!

What other key topics or events will Off The Leash be covering this year?
Each month, OTL covers the exciting events happening in the NT, as well as showcasing artists and creative opportunities. This year, we've showcased Wide Open Space Festival in the Red Centre and Barunga Festival in the Top End, plus a wide range of visiting performers such as Wil Anderson and The Presets. We get to tell our readers about Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the Telstra NATSIAA, the National Indigenous Music Awards and Darwin Festival - and that's just in August!