Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Grants Now Open!

Arts Northern Rivers’ is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Country Arts Support Program (CASP), an annual small grants program administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Create NSW.

The fund supports a creative, vibrant and resilient arts and cultural sector by offering up to $5000 to locally initiated projects by not-for-profits, local government authorities and collectives in regional NSW.

Funding for the 2020 round is available for projects occurring between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Eligible activities include workshops, exhibitions, performances, artist-in-residence programs, and public art and design projects.

The 2019 CASP round saw support for 83 Country Arts Projects across the state, sharing in nearly $250,000 and ranging from classical jazz and blues performances to touring theatre and residency opportunities. Local recipients included a collaborative project from Song Dynasty Music and The Brunswick Picture House, The Festival of the Voice. The grant is providing support for workshops with children during the upcoming festival. We recently caught up with Janet Swain from Song Dynasty Music Events and project partner Brett Haylock from the Brunswick Picture House to discuss their successful project. Read the full Q&A.

“CASP is such an important small grants program for community organisations in regional NSW.  We are always amazed by the imaginative, creative projects that cover all art forms being developed in country areas, the impact they make in their community and how far a relatively small amount of money will stretch,” CEO of Regional Arts NSW, Elizabeth Rogers said.

Applicants are required to discuss their proposed CASP projects and with Arts Northern Rivers prior to submission.