Arts and culture in regional NSW will continue to shine with an outstanding line-up of creative projects fast approaching thanks to over $259,000 in funding from NSW Government.
Through this funding, creative organisations from across regional and rural NSW will play host to range of short-term, locally initiated community productions, programs, performances and workshops.
Among the 83 projects selected, the program will support a two-day writers festival for primary schools celebrating and educating students in the power of literacy; a 10-week training program for aspiring theatre-makers working with disability, as well as an ensemble choir of over 100 vocalists accompanied by a 45-piece regional orchestra.
Arts Minister, Don Harwin, said that the annual Country Arts Support Program (CASP) funding aims to drive creative and vibrant state-wide arts projects that engage diverse audiences and promote an innovative NSW arts and cultural sector. “This funding reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting diverse arts and cultural experiences in regional NSW – everything from local community street art, youth choirs, and Aboriginal arts as well as securing a number of critically-acclaimed authors and artists that are going on tour… Increasing access and participation in arts and cultural experiences drives economic benefits across the regions and also enables positive social impacts too, including greater awareness, appreciation and expression of our cultural diversity.”
The Country Arts Support Program fund is a devolved grants program administered each year by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Create NSW.
Grants of up to either $3,000 or $5,000 (depending on region) are available primarily for professional artists’ fees, travel and accommodation, with applications assessed by 14 regionally-based panels coordinated by the local Regional Arts Boards.
For further information on arts, screen and cultural funding, including targeted support opportunities, visit www.create.nsw.gov.au or email arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
Congratulations to all the recipients and particularly those delivering opportunities for arts and culture here in the Central West!
Allegri Singers Inc.:
The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace) by Karl Jenkins (Northern Tablelands, Northern NSW) ($3,000)
Funding will allow the Allegri Singers to deliver performances of The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins, in Bathurst and Orange in November 2019. The production, directed by William Moxey, will involve a 100+ voice choir (comprising the Allegri Singers, Orange Conservatorium Symphonic Choir and the Willoughby Singers), a 45-piece regional orchestra and vocal soloists.
Bathurst Seymour Centre:
More than a mural (Bathurst, Central West NSW) ($2,800)
This project will design and paint an Aboriginal mural, to be hung in Bathurst Seymour Centre (BSC). By working with a local Aboriginal woman, Nicole Trudgett, this project will contribute to important relationship-building between the BSC and the Aboriginal community.
Forbes Shire Council:
Sketchbook Library (Orange, Central West NSW) ($1,259)
Sketchbook Library is based on a sketchbook being used to create ideas. It enables the artist to make meaning of images from the library or outside of the library through the creating and communication of their own art work, especially helping those with low written and verbal communications.
Lachlan Arts Council:
Real Life Drama (Barwon, Central West NSW) ($2,640)
Funding will support Lachlan Arts Council in engaging local youth drama participants to hold a live production of Anne of Green Gables or Shrek Junior at the Parkes Little Theatre in 2019.
Parkes Shire Council:
To the Moon and Back (Orange, Central West NSW) ($3,000)
The To the Moon and Back art project will invite young people aged 12-17 years to explore space in a series of workshops. Running for six weeks in early 2019, the culmination of the project will be presented in an exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
Rotary Club of Orange Inc.:
Creative poetry workshops in schools (Orange, Central West NSW) ($3,000)
During the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival in Orange in February 2019, bush poet and educator Marco Gliori will deliver school workshops to extend students’ creativity in poetry writing and performing. The workshops will also be run in August 2019 for the 2020 festival