ARTS NORTH WEST ARTS GRANT WRITING BASICS WORKSHOPS

Arts Grant Writing Basics is a workshop offering handy tips and tricks to any individual or community organisation applying for arts grants.

The tools and techniques provided will increase your chance to win the support you need to get your great idea off the ground. Learn how to decode the application questions, summarise your project, prepare a justification and conquer your budget.

Executive Director of Arts North West, Caroline Downer has had more than 20 years of successful grant writing experience. Her workshops are interactive, hands-on and practical and are suitable for new submission writers or those requiring a refresher.

“Being able to ask those tricky questions and apply tips to your own submissions will be really beneficial for participants in fine tuning their applications. Grant writing has become an integral tool for community art organisations and regional artists” said Ms Downer.

These three hour workshops are $25 per person and include a detailed workbook covering the key content delivered in the workshop.

11 October Tenterfield School of Arts, Rouse Street 10am - 1pm
18 October Gunnedah Smithurst Theatre, Conadilly Street 10am - 1pm
22 November Quirindi Royal Theatre 1.30pm - 4.30pm

Book online www.trybooking.com/RKKT

Contact Arts North West on 6732 4988 for more information. 

TABLE TALK: Making Bowls Making Connections

Table Talk is a series of hands-on pottery workshops being run in Armidale in August and Tamworth in September for refugees and migrants who have made their home in the New England North West region.  Workshop coordinator Nicci Parry-Jones, a professional ceramicist, will lead the groups through the process of making handmade bowls including the design, building and decorating stages.

Caroline Downer, Executive Director of Arts North West is looking forward to the workshops. “Table Talk is the first project of its kind for Arts North West and I look forward to meeting the newest members of our communities,” said Ms Downer.  “Working collaboratively on a creative project is an effective way to connect people with their communities and I have no doubt that Table Talk will do just that.” continued Ms Downer.

Workshop facilitator, Nicci Parry-Jones is equally enthusiastic about the workshops starting this month. “I am really looking forward to providing an opportunity for people to get creative; the workshops have been designed to celebrate the arts and crafts of the participants’ cultures.  I am excited to be a part of the project and hope it will lead to new connections for all attendees and future projects of a similar nature.” said Ms Parry-Jones.

Table Talk aims to engage on an informal level for people whose English language skills are still developing and to encourage conversational English whilst providing hands on fun and creative opportunity. Once the bowls are fired and ready for use, a third event will be held for participants to come back together, socialise and share a meal using their new wares. The Armidale event will be Multicultural Health Week’s Happy Women’s Dinner and Dance in September and the hand-over ceremony will be at the Fiesta La Peel Festival on 14 October. For more information, please contact Nicci Parry-Jones office@artsnw.com

This project has been funded by the NSW Government through Multicultural NSW

ARTSTATE LISMORE 2017 UNVEILS FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Today at The Australian Museum, Regional Arts NSW announced the program for the inaugural Artstate NSW, a four-day event that will welcome an anticipated 200 arts industry delegates from 30th November to 3rd December 2017.

Initiated following the success of Artlands Dubbo 2016 presented by Regional Arts NSW, Artstate is a four-year program aiming to build on conversations, partnerships and opportunities for regional artists and arts organisations. The event will include a line-up of inspirational speakers alongside a multi-genre arts program showcasing the very best in arts from the North Coast region.

Chair of Regional Arts NSW, Stephen Champion said “Regional arts practice of the highest order is prolific in NSW but it still often occurs without recognition; particularly by reviewers and our urban counterparts. Artstate is set to change this by placing the spotlight on a different regional hub each year for the next four years. Artstate will also demonstrate that regional NSW is at the epicentre of national and international debate and discourse about the vital relationship of the arts to communities.”

Speaking at the launch event today, Minister for the Arts, the Hon Don Harwin MLC said “Artlands Dubbo 2016 was a fantastic achievement for NSW in its entirety; a regional conference, curated in the regions, showcasing extraordinary regional, metro and international work and speakers to the world. It is strongly felt across the sector that we need to keep the momentum going and that NSW has clearly demonstrated leadership in an area that should be further strengthened.”

The event will commence with two days of keynote speakers and panels exploring the themes of Partnership and Practice and other specialised areas. Featured speakers in the program will include British-Indian composer and virtuoso player of the sarod, Soumik Datta;  Director of the Norway international indigenous arts and culture festival, Riddu Riđđu Festivála, Karoline Trollvik; and member of the Bundjalung nation Rhoda Roberts, who is Head of Indigenous Programming, Sydney Opera House, Creative Director, Gallery & Events, Festival Director, Boomerang Festival and Curator of the second annual Parrtijima – A Festival in Light event in Alice Springs.

Alongside the speakers program will be an arts program featuring the likes of local theatre company, Northern Rivers Performing Arts, and the world premiere of their new production Djurra; a free public concert by the Regional Youth Orchestra NSW featuring talented students from regional conservatoriums; and Cheeky Cabaret presented by Brett Haylock from the Brunswick Picture House. The opening of Artstate Lismore will also coincide with the opening of the new Lismore Regional Gallery building and exhibition.

Early bird registration tickets are on sale now at www.artstatensw.com.au

WHAT: Artstate Lismore 2017

WHERE: Lismore (various venues)

WHEN: 30th November to 3rd December, 2017

TICKETS: On sale now at www.artstate.com.au

Applications now open for the Regional Arts Fund 2018

Applications are now being accepted for the Regional Arts Fund (RAF), an Australian Government initiative that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia. The program is managed by Regional Arts Australia and Regional Arts NSW, and is designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities.

Funding for the 2018 round is available for projects commencing between 1 January and 31 December 2018. Projects must be based or delivered in regional NSW, with grants available in the categories of New Initiatives and Partnerships. The arts or cultural focus of the project can include visual arts, circus, dance, film, literature, music, theatre, puppetry, digital media and cross-art-form works. Projects are also eligible for multi-year funding for up to 2 years. In 2017, the RAF Community Grants saw support for 22 new projects sharing in more than $434,000.

“The RAF funds amazing projects in regional NSW, clearly demonstrating the excellence of arts practice in this state,” CEO of Regional Arts NSW, Elizabeth Rogers, said. “The high standard of applications for imaginative and innovative work is very exciting.”

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed RAF projects with their local Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) prior to submission for one-on-one support. Those seeking more than $20,000 in funding for New Initiatives or Partnerships must discuss their application with the Grants & Projects Manager at Regional Arts NSW by calling (02) 9270 2501 or emailing funding@regionalartsnsw.com.au.

Applications for the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Community Grants close on Thursday 10 August 2017, 5pm AEST. For more information about the program, including guidelines and instructions, visit: http://regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/raf/

Country Art Support Program Opens Today!

Do you have an arts project that needs a financial lift? Will your project contribute to arts and cultural activity in your community? 
 
The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual grants program that supports community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through grants of up to $3000. CASP opens on Friday 26 May 2017 and close 5:00PM Thursday 27 July 2017.
 
CASP is an annual small grants program administered by Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) on behalf of Arts NSW. http://regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/casp/

WHAT'S NEW FOR CASP?

• CASP applications will only be accepted through the Arts NSW secure on-line grants system, SmartyGrants.
• Guidelines have been reviewed and simplified.
• You will need to respond to a number of Create NSW KPIs that are common to all arts grants applicants under the NSW Arts and Cultural Policy Framework (ACDP). 

OBJECTIVES

• 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.

DON’T FORGET!

• read the CASP Guidelines carefully and 
• before you submit discuss your project with Caroline Downer, Executive Director of Arts North West on 0428 042 622. Caroline will be able to help you with any questions you have in regards to your project and applying for CASP.

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Launch

Arts North West and Accessible Arts NSW will be celebrating the launch of Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource at the Civic Centre Gunnedah on22 May 2017.

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Manual is the direct result of The Heading West Project, a strategic two year partnership between Arts North West, Arts Northern Rivers (regional arts development organisations) and Accessible Arts NSW.  This resource manual is a how-to-guide to deliver arts and disability projects and events in regional Australia including project development, marketing, and accessibility plans. It comprises step-by-step processes, templates, resources as well as a number of case studies to assist organisations and individuals to develop their own arts and disability events in their communities.

Everyone is invited to come along, participate in an inclusive art activity, and create a nature photo print and frame. All materials and morning tea provided.

WHEN:
11:00am - 1pm Monday 22 May 2017

WHERE:
Creative Arts Centre, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah.

The Creative Arts Centre is an accessible venue.

COST:
Free

Further enquiries, please contact Arts North West via email office@artsnw.com.au, phone 67324988 or visit the website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

Harmony Day Success in Glen Innes

The 2017 Glen Innes Harmony Day attracted around 100 people in the magnificent setting of the Glen Innes Town Hall with a foody heaven created by volunteers who supplied delicious plates of world cuisine from Indian pakoras and raita,  Japanese sushi, to Turkish felafel and tabouli and a tea station that served teas from around the world.  World music was played by DJ, Bob Blair while children and adults alike took part in a range of dancing and arts activities. Nicci Parry-Jones, Arts North West Projects Officer explains, “The art stalls focused on traditional craft practised from different countries such as making mandalas, origami and painting. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.” This festive event and waspresented by Arts North West with assistance from GISC and Refugees Welcome Glen Innes volunteers. The financial support went towards bringing feature act, The Balkanics who performed at the event with well-known multi-instrumentalist, Linsey Pollak. 
 
Luke Hodgson, senior student at the Glen Innes High School took the opportunity to undertake an activity for children – a painting and photo booth as part of his Major Project for Aboriginal Studies, which was enjoyed and utilised by attendees.

“Harmony Day is an inclusive community event to celebrate Australia’s multicultural diversity. The selection of cultural activities on offer aimed to highlight the rich contribution multiculturalism has made, and continues to make, to Australian culture and to encourage community inclusivity through harmonious engagement. Arts North West takes this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who helped on the day and made it such a resounding success.”
 
Funding for Harmony Day GI was provided by the NSW Government through Multiculturalism NSW, Arts North West, Glen Innes Severn Council and Refugee Welcome Glen Innes.