About ANR

As the peak arts organisation for our region, Arts Northern Rivers delivers services and projects that foster artistic innovation and excellence and work to ensure access and engagement with arts and cultural activity. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation, supported by Create NSW and Northern Rivers local governments.

Our Work

Advocacy

We engage deeply with Northern Rivers Independent creatives, small-to-medium arts/culture organisations, our communities, arts and non-arts industry partners and government to inform our direction and priorities. Priorities identified through our ongoing sector consultation guide our work. Arts Northern Rivers sources and consolidates information, shares the latest sector happenings and highlights targeted industry opportunities.

Button Text

Research

We identify matters affecting the sector based on evidence collected through research and evaluation, which enable the foundations for strong relationships with all levels of government, developing partnerships with allied organisations and peak bodies and implementing a strategic communications framework that supports advocacy.

Button Text

Professional Development

We offer diverse and accessible professional development opportunities for artists, arts workers, creative businesses and small-medium arts organisations. Direct support, mentorships, workshops, and discussions are facilitated online across the region. Check out Practice 101 series or join our mailing list for upcoming opportunities.

Button Text

Partnerships

Partnerships are crucial to our shared commitment to the public value and impact of arts and culture in our region. We welcome the opportunity to develop strategic partnerships that extend the impact and reach of our programs. Our partnerships are across government, individuals and foundations, to maximise the benefits that arts and cultural participation offers our communities. We are open to new investment models and partnerships with commercial outcomes where artists, arts organisations and audiences are the beneficiaries. Through these diverse and dynamic collaborations, we strive to foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape that enriches the lives of all community members.

Button Text

Support and Outreach

Direct support is available for independents and self-managed artists, from emerging to established. We provide professional over the phone or in-person support as a part of our core services to the arts sector in the region. The breadth of experience and knowledge within the team can assist with a range of requests from funding opportunities, professional and project development to peer-to-peer connections.

Button Text

Gatherings

Gatherings bring together independent artists, arts organisations and arts workers of the creative industries of the Northern Rivers to connect. We hosts multiple events annually across our region, providing a platform for the Northern Rivers arts community to gather, engage in critical discourse, and share/observe local ideas-in-progress. Each gathering features artists to showcase their practice and interdisciplinary networking.

Button Text

Letters of Support

Arts Northern Rivers can supply a letter of support if we see merit in your proposed project or program of activity that you are undertaking. We require 2 weeks notice and a draft sample letter with details and the amount of funding you are applying for, key points regarding your project, budget, capacity, how it will benefit you and or the community and a short artist bio. If the funding requested exceeds $20,000 there will need to be a discussion with the Arts Northern Rivers team regarding the project and application at least 3 weeks before the grant deadline.

Button Text

Auspicing

Auspicing is when an incorporated association such as Arts Northern Rivers applies for and receives funding on behalf of an unincorporated individual, group or organisation, and is responsible for ensuring that the project or activity for which the funds have been granted is completed, acquitted, and the funds accounted for. We offer auspicing services for individuals and small groups to support their capacity to access more grant opportunities both within the arts sector and further aligned sectors. This is an important service that the organisation offers to the region.

Button Text

For Who

Individuals

Arts Northern Rivers works with individual artists, crafters, musicians, filmmakers and creative industry professionals to provide advice and support for projects, business, funding and advocacy. Each year we deliver professional and skills development programs that aim to build capacity and resilience amongst the arts and creative industries of the region. Individual artist can contact us for:

Advice
Industry Connections
Project Development and Support
Funding Advice
Grant Writing Support
Promotion for events, exhibitions and workshops
Referrals
Access to Opportunities
Skills and Professional Development Opportunities

Indigenous

Arts Northern Rivers has dedicated program to support and advocate for indigenous artists living in across the Northern Rivers. We have a dedicated full time Indigenous Arts and Development Officer who supports and develops projects with Aboriginal artists across our region.

Advice
Access to Opportunities
Industry Connections
Project Development and Support
Funding Advice
Grant Writing Support
Promotion
Referrals
Skills and Professional Development Opportunities
Market Development
Mentorship
Outreach Services

Communities

We deliver a diverse program of activity for and with communities across the Northern Rivers shaped by the priorities outlined in our strategic plan, which is a direct response the needs of the wider arts community. Communities and groups can contact us for information and support.

Councils

As financial contributors to Arts Northern Rivers councils enjoy the full support of our services across the region. From participation on council committees to the delivery of innovative projects that support community-wide participation in arts and cultural activity we deliver services and amplify arts funding for all contributing councils of the Northern Rivers. We offer all artists and cultural organisations in the contributing LGA advice and assistance. We offer expertise in cultural planning, policy development, project development and community consultation with connections to state and nationally-funded cultural programs.

Organisations

Arts Northern Rivers amplifies its work by joining with other organisations and individuals to develop, present and promote a range of innovative programs, targeting various sectors within the arts and creative industries.

The Organisation

Vision

An engaged, diverse, connected and resilient arts and cultural community valued in our region and recognised nationally and internationally.

Purpose

We deliver services and projects that foster the creative industries, encourage excellence, and work to ensure access and engagement with arts and cultural activity.

We do this by:

Developing quality programs in collaboration with our stakeholders and partners.
Extending our reach across the region to encourage participation in and promotion of our vibrant arts and cultural sector.
Connecting creatives to opportunities and pathways in our sector.
Ensuring we remain viable as an organisation through good governance practice and financial management.

Northern Rivers Creative

This platform is built to support creative ambition and increase professional opportunities for creatives by connecting them to local and global markets.

The Northern Rivers region is home some of the most diverse, vibrant arts communities in Australia with the highest concentration of creatives outside of metropolitan areas. Northern Rivers Creative celebrates the region’s thriving creative diversity, featuring a range of categories including creative services, visual arts, design, Indigenous arts, literature, music, performance and screen.

With quality-controlled content and specified search options, Northern Rivers Creative is the easiest way to access the region’s talents and stay updated with the latest creative news.

More Info

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Arts Northern Rivers respectfully acknowledges Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Githabul Country, the lands we work and create on. We appreciate the unique and vibrant array of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders artists and cultural practitioners from here and living here. We strive to strengthen self-determination, promote presence, and support cultural continuation.

Our Partners