The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development, Local Government and Minister for the Arts, the Hon Simon Crean MP, recently announced a total of $330,906 in funding for 22 new arts projects in regional, rural and remote New South Wales in 2012 through the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund.

The Northern Rivers is one of any communities across the state to benefit, with $52,171 funding allocated to three exciting local initiatives.

Arts Northern Rivers received $10,000 for its Creative Industries Professional Development Program that includes workshops, seminars, forums and one-on-one clinics, for Northern Rivers based creative industries practitioners in the sectors of art, design, digital media, fashion and music.

Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) received $27,171 for Railway Wonderland Region, a dream play and theatre installation inspired by disused railway stations that exist throughout regional NSW and developed as part of Generator, NORPA's innovative new theatre work initiative.

Multi Task Human Resource Foundation Ltd received $15,000 for Tralala Blip and friends an electronic music and sound project for people with disabilities.

The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative to support sustainable, community-based cultural development in regional, remote and isolated areas in Australia. The funding is targeted at activities that will have long term cultural, economic and social benefits that develop partnerships and cultural networks and that provide skills development opportunities.