Over 8.5 Million in Create NSW Funding
Create NSW has announced the sixty-eight recipients sharing nearly $50 million in funding from Round One of the Regional Cultural Fund of which the Northern Rivers has received over 8.5 million to refurb and rejuvenate creative infrastructure.
Ballina Shire Council, Multi-disciplinary arts facility – North Coast ($158,480)
The heritage-listed former Ballina Fire Station is to be re-born as ‘Ignite Studios’, a multi-disciplinary arts facility offering accessible creative studio spaces, dedicated workshop/project spaces and a visiting artist-in-residence space. This grant will also fund sustainable lighting upgrades for the Northern Rivers Community Gallery and the temporary engagement of a consultant to champion strategic development and partnership opportunities for the gallery.
Byron Writers Festival, Writers on the Road – North Coast ($80,100)
‘Writers on the Road’ tours leading Australian authors to regional towns in northern NSW, extending the activities of the Byron Writers Festival and its school program StoryBoard. The authors run free creative writing workshops in schools and literary events in communities. Writers on the road extends the reach and use of the StoryBoard bus, a mobile piece of artistic infrastructure containing a library, miniature writing room and creative resources. It celebrates and extends the power of books, stories and writing to create connection and community.
Clarence Valley Council, Grafton Regional Gallery refurbishment and extension – North Coast ($7,621,480)
The rejuvenated and expanded Grafton Regional Gallery will deliver a regional arts and creative destination for the Clarence Valley. The project will provide a new, national standard, main gallery and storage for the collection above flood level. Repurposed workshop and exhibition facilities will improve and expand events and artist engagement and increase visitor accessibility. Energy-efficient cooling and heating will improve the sustainability of the gallery and enhance the visitor experience.
Creative Mullumbimby Inc., Solar-powered creative space – North Coast ($25,928)
Funding will enable the creation of ‘The Ark’ – a solar powered shipping container equipped and fitted-out as an off-grid workshop, shelter, stage, and store. This project will help promote and support public art installation, performance, circus, community events and festivals in Mullumbimby and surrounding regions. The Ark will include a 1KW off-grid solar power system, benches, storage facilities. mobile stage units and lighting rig that will allow remote performance, support of art installation, small scale fabrication and administration of community events. The facility will be developed and tested in the context of small community art projects in 2018 before being available for loan or hire from early 2019.
Kyogle and District Historical Society Inc., Kyogle History Museum – North Coast ($130,000)
The Kyogle and District Historical Society Inc. cares for a significant collection of antiques and historical memorabilia including over 6,000 photographs. The Society will fit out a new facility that will create a historical hub for the community, school tours and visitors. The vision is for a welcoming, vibrant place which inspires, informs and delights visitors with engaging exhibitions, stories and educational programs and activities.
Northern Rivers Conservatorium, Building refurbishment – North Coast ($636,172)
The refurbishment of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium’s historic building will improve access for all members of the community through the installation of a lift and internal ramps and upgrade of all amenities. The teaching, administrative and public spaces will also be refurbished so that the physical space reflects the excellence of the conservatorium’s music education, presentation and participation activities.
Tweed Unlimited Arts Inc., Equipment and accessibility upgrades – North Coast ($20,100)
Tweed Unlimited Arts Inc. will receive a new kiln, ventilation system and window upgrades to provide better facilities for its art and creative groups, which includes; spinning and weaving, creative fibre arts, pottery, four art groups (using various media), patchwork and quilting, mixed needlework/creative crafts and cake decorating. As part of this upgrade Tweed Unlimited Arts Inc. will also install two accessible parking spaces which will provide improved access to the facilities.
Image | credit Ben Wyeth Photography
