Forbes Arts Society’s first ever one-day artists studio trail was a great success, with thanks to an Arts OutWest Arts Restart Micro Grant.
Forbes Arts Society’s Emily Wilson provided their feedback on their project and the value of the small grant:
On behalf of the Forbes Arts Society, we wish to thank Arts OutWest and Create NSW for their support of our Forbes Open Studio Trail event.
We would not have been able to deliver this event without this funding, nor attract the level of interest. This event has not only reinvigorated our arts community, but also enabled us to engage with a much broader audience.
Describe what you did with the funds from your Arts OutWest Micro Grant?
The Arts OutWest grant funds were used to promote and facilitate the delivery of the Forbes Open Studio Trail on Sunday 6 June 2021, from 10am until 3pm.
The funds enabled us to place digital and print advertising and have promotional posters professionally printed.
We developed and professionally printed a Trail Guide, which included the artist biographies and a map, and was provided to ticket holders upon check-in along with a wrist band.
After all our necessities were pre-ordered/purchased, we had some funds remaining with which we used to purchase a Forbes Arts Society (FAS) branded pull-up banner. It went on display at the Platypus Gallery during the Art Trail event and will be used ongoing at future Forbes Arts Society events and activities.
What were the benefits gained from your Arts OutWest Micro Grant and how did it help you or others during the Covid-19 crisis?
In 2020, the Platypus Gallery was forced to close for a period of three months as many of our gallery volunteers and exhibiting artists were classed in the ‘vulnerable’ category. Due to the closure, no artwork sales were made through the gallery during this time, nor any income-generating events, workshops or activities were held. The Platypus Gallery relies on commission from gallery sales and income-generating activities to cover the cost of their operating expenses. Many of our local artists also ceased creating and selling their artwork in 2020.
70 tickets were sold to the Forbes Open Studio Trail through the Platypus Gallery. Money raised through tickets sales goes towards recouping some of the losses incurred by the Platypus Gallery during 2020. The Platypus Gallery also made a number of artwork sales and signed up some new members on the day.
The Forbes Open Studio Trail encouraged local artists to return to their craft, and to showcase and sell their work in a Covid-safe manner. Six out of the eight featured artists sold work on the day. It was also a rare opportunity for ticket holders to meet some of our local artist in-person, ask questions, watch demonstrations, and participate in interactive experiences.
Some feedback from a trail customer:
“My sister and her hubby went on the art trail on Sunday. They were very impressed with the brochure, the organisation, the places they went in fact impressed with it all! Cheers Ros”
Images from the Forbes Art Trail (via Forbes Arts Society):
