2023 Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 round of Country Arts Support Program (CASP) funding. Supporting short term, locally initiated arts and community projects, CASP aims to increase regional opportunities, cultural experiences and economic benefits to the community.

PROJECTS –

Byron Youth Services – Who Ate All the Pies? will be a pilot mentorship program for 4 x early career artists in building sustainable careers in the arts and community sectors. The project aims to address and disrupt the erosion of access to the arts and subsequent reduction of the capacities of young and emerging artists to participate in the sector and society.

Darling Muffs of May – This is a community arts project, based in Mullumbimby. Key events are an artist-run, craft workshop (Feb ‘24) creating works to be photographed for a curated photographic exhibition (May ‘24). The project will raise money for women who are at risk or affected by homelessness.

Gurehlgam & Deborah Taylor – Gurehlgam is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal people and families in Northern NSW. The project aims to collect and display photos on the current ‘Welcome Project Murals’ on the old Grafton Bridge Pylons and South Grafton levee wall. The project will engage with local First Nations families from South Grafton and Grafton, utilising historical family photographs to share and celebration cultural connections in the region.

Kyogle Readers and Writers Inc – The project involves a writer-in-residence program, including mentorship, open, on a competitive basis, to emerging writers across all genres, who are based in rural or regional areas. The successful applicant will be invited to Kyogle for a two-week residency, and they will also be platformed in the 2024 Writers Festival.

Paul Walker – ‘We Will Thrive’ is a creative recovery project for the Northern Rivers LGBTIQA+ community after the 2022 floods. It follows the pilot project, I Will Survive, from 2022. This iteration includes 10 creative art/performance workshops led by local LGBTIQA+ artists to develop a performance/installation piece for the Tropical Fruits Festival.

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