Regional arts projects’ $250k boost

Regional arts projects’ $250k boost

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin has announced that regional and rural arts organisations from around NSW are to benefit from $250,000 in small-grant funding. The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) will fund 86 organisations to support community arts and cultural development.

Regional Arts NSW CEO, Elizabeth Rogers said, “This was an outstanding round of applications with innovative and creative projects from all across the state, many working in partnerships to address the issues facing regional communities”. Among the 86 organisations funded the Northern Rivers region includes:

Byron Youth Theatre: How on Earth – Byron Youth Theatre will consult with local and national ecological, health and wellbeing organisations to create an original production focusing on the complex issues of eco-anxiety and ecological despair. The production will be delivered to local schools in the region and a public forum and performance provided.

Southern Cross University: LabX Environmental Arts: Speaking with the River – “Speaking with the River” is an exhibition curated by the LabX environmental art collective. Across art and science this project explores capacities of transdisciplinary study to develop new understandings of rivers and river systems as simultaneously environmental, cultural, historical and economic phenomena, supporting communities to connect to natural water systems.

Northern Rivers Community Gallery: Change MAKERS – Change MAKERS, an Ignite Studio incubator for young people with a cause and a passion for social impact art-making. An 8-week mentoring program for young people to explore how their ideas and art can create social and environmental change.

Lismore Theatre Company: Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) 50th Anniversary Workshop Series – A series of theatre-related workshops will be provided over the course of a week, at low cost  to participants. The workshops will be facilitated by trained & experienced LTC members, in combination with professionals. The workshops will culminate in a public performance featuring the improvisation group ImproMafia and local workshop participants.

Minister Harwin said that the annual Country Arts Support Program (CASP) funding brought essential support to a wide range of community productions, projects and installations and improves the quality, reach and strength of short-term, locally-initiated activities. “Large or small, this funding will strengthen regional and rural arts and cultural engagement, provide new training and employment opportunities across the state and create even more ways for areas to support their diverse local communities,” he said. “From classical, jazz and blues performances to community murals from young artists and touring theatre productions in schools, our Country Arts Support Program is a valuable initiative that gives back to an incredible range of audiences and ages.”

The CASP fund is a devolved grants program administered each year by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Create NSW. Funding of up to $250,000 is available with applications assessed by 14 regionally-based panels coordinated by the local Regional Arts Development Organisations.

For further information on the Create NSW Country Arts Support Program funds and other opportunities, including targeted support, visit www.create.nsw.gov.au or email arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: Grayson Cooke and Emma Walker, LabX Project ‘Open Air’ (2018), video still, courtesy the artist