MUSICNSW REGIONAL MUSIC OFFICER POSITION

MusicNSW's highly-successful Regional Music Officer program is gearing up for its next instalment. Having recently successfully confirmed for four-year funding for the program, MusicNSW is kicking off 2023 with the addition of five regionally-based roles to its team. The five positions will provide on-the-ground tailored support for regional musicians, venues and live music professionals to grow regional touring capacity and opportunities.

There are five positions available - one manager position and four part-time coordinators. Applicants should have great project management experience, a love of music and their finger on the pulse of what's happening in their local music community. 

Key Dates:

29 Nov 2022 - Applications open

31 Jan 2023 - Applications close

1 Mar 2023 - Jobs commence

For more information and to apply follow the link.

UNE and Arts North West First Nations exhibition and musical performances coming to Tamworth during County Music Festival in 2023

UNE and Arts North West First Nations exhibition and musical performances coming to Tamworth during County Music Festival in 2023

‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran - Strong Spirit Connection’

The University of New England, Arts North West, and The Tamworth Youthie are thrilled to present a showcase of the incredible homegrown talent of the New England North West First Nations community, during Tamworth’s Country Music Festival in January 2023.

The partnership presents the exhibition ‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran’ meaning Strong Spirit Connection in the language of Gamilaraay, a morning of cultural creativity from Gomeroi Country.

The exhibition will present top-tier works from some of the New England North West’s extraordinary First Nations visual artists, and performers, with an opportunity to meet exhibiting artists during the exhibition.

EOIs to participate in the exhibition are currently open to all first Nations visual artists within the Arts North West service area including Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah Shire, Gwydir Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire, Moree Plains Shire, Narrabri Shire, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield Shire, Uralla Shire and Walcha Council. Please visit the Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

UNE, Arts North West, and the Tamworth Youthie extend a warm invitation to join them for the opening of ‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran’ from 10.00am on the 16th of January at the Tamworth Youthie as an invite only event If you would like to attend the event, please contact office@artsnw.com.au or phone 0493 3156 463.

Accompanying the exhibition opening will be the spirited talents of local First Nations creatives Uncle Roger Knox, Buddy Knox, the Gomeroi Dance Academy, and Uncle Len Waters presenting the Welcome to Country for all of community to enjoy.

This event has been supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, The University of New England, Arts North West, and the Tamworth Youthie through the Tamworth Regional Council.

Arts North West CreativiTEA project returning to the region

Drake participant Jacqui Cee admiring her print with Lizzie Horne. Photo: Michèle Jedlicka for Arts North West.

Creating, talking, learning, and listening with others can be healing. The Arts North West CreativiTEA project is returning for a third round to small New England communities, offering regional women chance all these elements through free workshops.

This project’s third round will return to Torrington and Drake, and launch in Bundarra and Ben Lomond over 17-20 October.

The workshops provide women a day of beginning-level drypoint printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, and time spent with familiar faces from the HNEH Rural Adversity Mental Health program (RAMHP). Local HealthWISE nurses have volunteered to be available for routine health checks as an added benefit.

CreativiTEA’s project officer Michèle Jedlicka has been on-board for all the workshops. She said the results have been delightful and inspiring.

“The drypoint process is so accessible, and provides women who have never tried a printmaking process a really beautiful entry-point. Plus, having the mental and physical health support not only on site, but taking part in the workshop alongside the participants has been special,” Michèle said.

Workshop facilitator Lizzie Horne said the buzz of excitement in the room as people’s ideas became images was like magic, and appreciated the energy among the women in the room.

“I just love the gasps of delight when someone pulls that first print off the press and sees the amazing art they have created!” Lizzie said.

“The camaraderie that is shared in the process of creation is like gold…the low ripple of laughter and chatter and satisfaction of making something beautiful.”

Lizzie stressed the printmaking project was more about expression than mastering the process.

“We aren’t looking for perfection, we’re looking at something that belongs uniquely to each person. And for that day, they are all artists!” she said.

All CreativiTEA workshops, materials, and catering are provided free, and RAMHP team members will be available for support beyond the workshop sessions for more support.

For workshop and booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2022 or phone Arts North West on 6732 4988.

The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

Get on the Road to Creativity with Arts North West this September

Image: Wee Waa Arts & Cultural Centre Coordinator Lisa Almagro with Workshop Facilitator, Robert Dunn. Photo, courtesy of Robert Dunn.

Arts North West invites the region to get on the road to creativity for Arts Trail Live, a weekend of free creative workshops over the weekend of 17-18 September 2022.

Venues based in the western portion of Arts North West footprint will be hosting four artists, providing workshops in ceramics, songwriting and performance, photography, and eco-dyeing, as with funding from the Australian government's Regional Arts Fund.

“It’s an initiative to support our regional artists, give people a chance to learn a new skill, or hone their passion, and encourage people across our region to get on the road, and explore these really great arts venues,” Arts North West project officer Michèle Jedlicka said.

Artists were chosen through an expression of interest process, and Michèle said submissions reflected the extraordinary level of talent in the region.

“The selection process was tough. So many incredible artists put their hands up for this project. The final four are no different - passionate about what they do, and their dedication about sharing that knowledge is evident.”

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park at Warialda will host Tenterfield textile artist Kay Gray for an eco-dyeing workshop, Tamworth blues legend Buddy Knox will give a songwriting and performance workshop at Moree’s Yaama Ganu Gallery, Narrabri photographer Robert Dunn will hold a digital photography workshop at the Wee Waa Arts and Cultural Centre, and Uralla ceramicist and community arts advocate Andrew Parker will visit the Barraba Fuller Gallery and Clay Pan Studio for a ceramics workshop.

All workshops are free, and materials will be provided for workshops where needed. Spaces are limited to ensure all participants get great support, but family members, friends, and spectators are welcome to watch and learn.

“And also to take time to browse the work on display at these venues,” Michèle said.

“All these locations are not just creative spaces, but real destinations, and they change their exhibitions all the time. Most offer classes, and all of them are based in terrific communities. Definitely worth booking a place, and taking a road trip to learn something new, and meet like-minded creative people.”

To learn more and find booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/arts-trail-live-2022

Arts North West Micro Grants Ready to Roll

New England North West creatives are set to benefit directly from Arts North West, with the announcement of another round of Arts North West’s Micro Grants opening in early August.

The first round of Micro Grants was announced in April 2020 and saw a range of artists and arts projects boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including musicians, textile artists, visual artists, performing artists and more. Since then, the fund has expended around $25,000 directly to New England North West creatives.

“Announcing the opening of the Micro Grants Funding round is one of my first tasks as the new Executive Director of Arts North West” said Arts North West Executive Director Lauren Mackley.

“It has been an incredibly challenging couple of years for our arts community in the New England North West, from droughts, bushfires, Covid and now floods, and it gives me great joy to know that we have the opportunity to financially assist creatives and their practice as they navigate these unprecedented times.” Ms Mackley continued.

Designed to support the continuation of locally-determined community arts and cultural practice in uncertain times, this funding aims to be as flexible as possible. Projects can be outcome-focused or be designed around skills development or capacity-building.

“The main reasons why this fund is so well prescribed, is the simple application and the quick turnaround, something you do not get when applying to other funds. Applications open first week of August and closing on 5 September, and each applicant can apply for up to $1000. Successful applicants will be notified on 19 September. Previous unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply.” Concluded Ms Mackley.

To apply to the Arts North West Micro Grants Round, visit the Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au or contact the Arts North West office for more information (02) 6732 4988.

The Owl’s Apprentice to six towns in the region Quirindi, Gunnedah, Bingara, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield

Little Wing Puppets are on their way to North West New South Wales, bringing with them their shadow puppet show, The Owl’s Apprentice to six towns in the region Quirindi, Gunnedah, Bingara, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.

The story is about the idea that owl’s aren’t born wise, they have to learn it from somewhere. A young owl named Poot Poot is sent to study at Owl school. On his journey he meets an Echidna, a Wombat, a Kookaburra, a Lyrebird, a Kangaroo and a Platypus who each share with him their own kind special kind of wisdom. But will he pass the final test and become wise enough to save the forest? The Owl’s Apprentice is an interactive show for families combining shadow puppetry and physical comedy.

A puppeteer of more than twenty years, Jenny Ellis, weaves the whole tale together with a single set of hands, often playing multiple characters at once. Jenny has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Puppetry from the Victorian College of the Arts, and has performed hundreds of shows in numerous festivals, theatres and country halls in every state and territory of Australia, as well as overseas.

Jenny Ellis, Artistic Director of Little Wing Puppets, said,

“We are thrilled to be coming to the North West. We believe that young people deserve equal access to the arts, wherever they live. We have demonstrated that with over 16 years on the road, taking shows to some of Australia’s most remote communities. We know that we can help shape young people’s lives by igniting their imaginations. In a time when there is so much time spent on screens, the simplicity of puppet theatre still retains a sense of magic. It’s amazing to hear a room full of children gasping and exploding into laughter over the antics of a puppet on stage. It’s still able to captivate their imaginations.”

This tour has been supported by Arts North West. See attached page for full details of the performances

Watch 1 min video: https://vimeo.com/73988806

ARTS NORTH WEST TOUR
THE OWL’S APPRENTICE – 2022

Monday 1 August, 2022 10:30am & 1pm
The Royal Theatre Quirindi
115 Henry St, Quirindi NSW 2343
Bookings: https://www.royaltheatrequirindi.com/
Phone: (02) 6746 1755

Tuesday 2 August, 2022 11am & 1:30pm
Civic Theatre Gunnedah
83 Chandos St, Gunnedah NSW 2380
Bookings: https://www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events
Phone: 02 6740 2266

Wednesday 3 August, 11am
Roxy Theatre Bingara
74 Maitland St, Bingara NSW 2404
Bookings: https://www.roxybingara.com.au/little-wing-puppets-presents-the-owls-apprentice/
Phone: 02 6724 0066

Friday 5 August, 2022, 2pm
The TAS Hoskins Centre Armidale
Barney St, Newling NSW 2350
Entry Via Chapel Street
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CAHFO
Phone: (02) 6776 5800

Saturday 6 August, 2022 2pm
Chapel Theatre Glen Innes
143 Church St, Glen Innes NSW 2370
Bookings: https://giac.com.au/movie/owls-apprentice
Phone 6732 5688

Sunday 7 August 2022 10:30am
Tenterfield School of Arts
205 Rouse Street, Tenterfield
Bookings: http://www.tenterfieldcinema.com.au/event/the-owls-apprentice
Phone: 02 67366100

Arts North West To Make Arts Trail Live in September

Arts North West is thrilled to announce their latest project, Arts Trail Live which will be rolling out across four creative venues in the New England North West over the 17th and 18th of September 2022.

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park Warialda, Yaama Ganu Gallery Moree, Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre, and the Fuller Gallery/Barraba Potters and Craft Guild will host four local artist facilitators as they deliver a free community workshop.

Arts North West are currently calling for EOIs from local artist facilitators in all genres to facilitate these one-day creative workshop, with $1500 allocated for each facilitator.

"I am so happy to have an opportunity to not only support our regional artists, but bring these unique workshops to gems in our towns and encourage people to travel and visit these really thriving creative spaces," Arts North West Projects Officer Michèle Jedlicka said.

Selected artists will be emerging-professional and must have a primary focus in the arts sector. This includes, but is not limited to visual arts and photography, film, literature, music, songwriting, textiles, ceramics, theatre, dance, First Nations Arts, puppetry, musical theatre, community arts, or experimental arts.

“Artists can preference to work at any of the venues, and some suit specific genres, which could be appealing. Applicants must reside within our New England North West footprint to be eligible, but we do encourage artists to venture out to a community they may have not yet explored," Michèle said.

The project has been made possible by funding from the RAF Cultural Tourism Accelerator program and Arts Trail Live has been designed to encourage arts tourism across the New England North West region, allowing people a chance to take part in a creative activity in one weekend.

Visit the Arts North West website (www.artsnw.com.au) for more information and to fill out the EOI form before COB 1 August 2022. Applicants will also need to email three examples of their work produced in the last three years to projects@artsnw.com.au.

For more information, please contact ANW Projects Officer Michèle Jedlicka on projects@artsnw.com.au