Funding Announcement | $45,000 For Art on Bundjalung Country

Funding Announcement | $45,000 For Art on Bundjalung Country

Arts Northern Rivers is pleased to announce we have been successful in securing $45,000 from the Department for Communications and the Arts’ Indigenous Languages and Arts Program for our region-wide Indigenous arts project Art on Bundjalung Country.

Arts Northern Rivers’ Executive Director Peter Wood said, ‘at the heart of this project is a desire to address particular issues facing Indigenous artists in our region. These issues include access to peer delivered skills and professional development initiatives as well as opportunities to have work exhibited.’

‘The grant from the Indigenous Languages and Arts program will allow us to address both of these gaps and provide employment and skills development opportunities for Aboriginal artists across the region with a market opportunity to maximise sales and income generation.’

A feature of the project is bringing Aboriginal people together to connect socially, foster participation and cultural exchange and build the capacity, health and wellbeing of emerging Aboriginal artists through various art forms. The project will be delivered in multiple locations across Bundjalung Country in Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed Shire, Richmond Valley. These gatherings are driven by well-known local artists who act as mentors and workshop facilitators responsible for the design and delivery of each workshops series.

The outcome of Art on Bundjalung Country will be a new Indigenous art market held in Lismore in 2019.

The project, delivered with funding partner North Coast Primary Health Network and cultural partner Lismore Regional Gallery, is being managed by Arts Northern Rivers Indigenous Project Officer Sarah Bolt who is building on activity delivered in 2017 creating professional and skills development opportunities for Aboriginal artists from the Bundjalung region of NSW.

Member for Page, Kevin Hogan MP congratulated Arts Northern Rivers on our success with this grant and said, ‘It’s pleasing to see organisations like Arts Northern Rivers developing projects that support our local Indigenous artists. The project has a clear focus on raising the profile and skills of Aboriginal artists as well as providing important sales opportunities that will contribute to creating sustainable careers.’

The Member for Page also acknowledged the important partnerships developed as part of this project noting that ‘along with the Federal Government’s support, Lismore Regional Gallery and the North Coast Primary Health Network represent important financial and cultural partners that will ensure this project succeeds in its important aims.’

For more information on the Art on Bundjalung Country project please contact Sarah Bolt at Arts Northern Rivers on 6621 4433 or email sarah@artsnorthernrivers.com.au