ARTS NORTH WEST - CASP GRANTS 2025

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is a small grants initiative funded by Create NSW and managed by Regional Arts Development Organisations. Arts North West is offering grants of up to $3,000 for individuals, arts community groups, and arts organisations in the New England North West to boost their creative projects.

CASP aims to help out with local community arts and cultural activities, give regional groups more chances to access a wide variety of arts programs, and let communities explore and express their cultural identities. It also brings social and economic benefits to the community through training, jobs, and promotion, raises awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity, and makes regional community arts organisations more sustainable and resilient.

The aim of the Country Arts Support Program is to support community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through small grants that: 

  • Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities 

  • Increase opportunities for regionally based groups to access a diverse range of arts programs 

  • Enable communities to explore and express their cultural identities 

  • Bring social and economic benefits to the community through training, employment and promotional opportunities 

  • Lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity 

  • Increase the sustainability and resilience of regionally based community arts organisations 

KEY DATES 

📌Applications Open: 9.00am 14 July 2025 

📌Applications Close: 5.00pm 25 August 2025 

📌 Successful Applicants Notified: 3 September 2025 

📌 Projects are to take place between: 1 October 2025 - 1 July 2026 

ELIGIBILITY – WHO CAN APPLY? 

  • An Individual 

  • A not-for-profit incorporated body 

  • A local government authority 

  • A collective with a nominated administering body (see FAQS below) 

  • Applicants are required to have a current certificate of currency for Broadform Liability or ‘Public Liability’ Insurance 

  • Applicants who have discussed their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation via phone 0493 316 463 or email rado@artsnw.com.au 

The eligible local government area’s include:  

  • Armidale Regional 

  • Glen Innes Severn 

  • Gunnedah Shire 

  • Gwydir Shire 

  • Liverpool Plains Shire 

  • Moree Plains Shire 

  • Narrabri Shire 

  • Tamworth Regional 

  • Tenterfield Shire 

  • Uralla Shire 

  • Walcha Council 

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? 

  • Individuals and Groups based in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or for projects based in those areas or outside of the Arts North West service area.  

  • Interstate organisations 

  • Professional touring groups 

  • Commercial enterprises 

  • Groups/ensembles and unincorporated associations with no administering body 

  • Regional Conservatoriums 

  • Those who have already received CASP Funding  

  • Organisations that have applied for or received Create NSW funding for the same activity 

  • Previous recipients where the use of the grant did not, in the opinion of the CASP state assessment panel, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines 

  • State and federal government departments, including schools (except P&Cs who are incorporated) 

  • Organisations that have overdue reports or acquittals for any funding programs administered by RANSW and/or Create NSW 

  • Applicants who have not discussed their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation. 

 

2024 CASP RECIPIENTS:

Tamworth Regional Craft Centre (TRCC) - Shannon Garson Workshop

Project: Workshop by Shannon Garson, a renowned Australian ceramic artist.

Details: Focus on porcelain decoration techniques inspired by the natural world. Participants will enhance their skills and creative vision in ceramics.

Michèle Jedlicka - Not Born Yesterday - Theme Song

Project: Creation of a theme song by Narrabri Shire singer/songwriter Sarah Leete for the independent film "Not Born Yesterday".

Details: The film captures the voices and stories of women over 60 in New England/North West NSW, reflecting the female director's views on aging.

Cat Long - After School Art/Craft Classes

Project: After school art classes for rural primary-aged students.

Details: Classes at the PCYC in Gunnedah every Monday during term time, exploring imagination, sustainable art practices, and emotional well-being.

Deepwater Progress Association Inc - Mosaic Workshops

Project: Two one-day mosaic workshops.

Details: Participants will create a 30x30 trivet and a free-choice mosaic artwork using recycled materials. To be held at "Gallery 4779" in Deepwater for 12 participants per workshop.

Fiona Barden (D & FE Barden T/A Wood We Create) - Art Experiences in Walcha

Project: Quarterly Sunday trading days and regular day tours for art experiences.

Details: Includes boutique shopping, gallery openings, and art/craft lessons, along with workshops with artists in Walcha.

Alana Blackburn - Development of Project

Project: Development of a new musical work based on local narratives.

Details: Develop a series of local narratives, engaging local authors to work towards engaging local composers to create and present this piece around the New England North West region.

Uralla Arts Council Inc - Picnic in the Park

Project: Development of a new park dedicated to the mathematician Fibonacci.

Details: Designing and building a picnic table and seating based on geometric principles of the Fibonacci sequence.

New England Writers Centre, Sophie Masson - Pitch to the Publisher

Twin projects: Pitch to the Publisher; and AAWP conference participation to showcase New England creators

Details: August - Pitch to the Publisher online sessions with publisher Riveted Press: exclusively for New England writers and illustrators. Fantastic opportunity to directly pitch work.

Please send any enquires to our Executive Director, Lauren Mackley via email rado@artsnw.com.au or phone 0493 316 463