Rivers to Ridges and the stories in between documents the stories of 20 Elders, 4 artists and the Aboriginal history of our region in multimedia format.
Feature artists have used the stories to inspire new works in a variety of mediums including virtual reality, song and sculpture in order to share the stories with the broader Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community.
This project is part of the Arts North West Aboriginal Cultural Support Program. This program supports and delivers projects that embed the knowledge and stories of our area, enabling our communities to reconnect and rediscover the unique cultural identity of the New England North West.
Artists include:
Loren Ryan (Tamworth)
Ronella (Dolly) Jerome (Tenterfield)
Jade Porter (Moree)
Anthony (Jack) Conlon (Gunnedah)
Videographers Brendan Blacklock (Blacklock Media) & Tim Leha (The Kainga Project).
The exhibition will be opened by Gomeroi man Peter White with a ceremony by Len Waters
Successful Regional Arts Fund Applications Announced
What a great way to wrap up 2018 with the announcement of the following successful Regional Arts Fund applications from the New England North West region.
Miyay Miyay: A Creative Collaboration
Miyay Miyay: A Creative Collaboration is a two-year project comprising of the creative development of a performing arts piece based on the Gamilaroi version of ‘Miyay Miyay’, the ‘Seven Sisters’ songline, and is inspired by Country and the landscape of the New England North West. Central to the project will be an artistic collaboration between two key Gamilaroi artists – writer Cathy Craigie, and dancer Katie Leslie. In its entirety, this project will comprise of research and development, a creative residency, mentorships, documentation, presentation, further creative development and regional tour components.
New England Writers Centre Stories Connect
Stories Connect is an innovative and creative multi-arts project aimed at forging fruitful connections between the newly- Regional Arts Fund NSW - List of Projects Funded 2019 Page 2 resettled Yazidi refugee community in Armidale and the broader community, through the creation and sharing of stories. With a mix of writing and illustration workshops for school-aged children, story, songwriting, poetry and photographic narrative workshops for young people, and storytelling/sharing sessions for adults and children. The project will be delivered in partnership with Settlement Services International, who will facilitate consultation with the local refugee community, Armidale Regional Council, and Arts North West.
Screenwave Nextwave: Building a Network for Regional NSW Youth Film Development Regions
Screenwave will partner with Mayfly Media and Got Ya Back Productions across two years to develop Nextwave’s youth film and mental health education program in the Riverina and Upper Hunter – adding to the current regions of Mid North Coast, New England and Northern Rivers. Nextwave will train mid-career filmmakers as workshop facilitators, educating more young regional Australians with employable creative skills. The program will raise the profile of screen arts in regional NSW schools, build capacity for teachers to support student filmmakers and see the production of original films to be distributed nationally.
Mark Making Workshop Moree
FREE Creativity Workshop for Aboriginal Artists
Mon 3 Dec 10am - 3pm (lunch provided)
Moree TAFE Art Room
Mark making is a term used to describe the different lines, patterns, and textures we create in a piece of art. It applies to any art material on any surface, not only paint on canvas or pencil on paper. Join Aboriginal Arts Officer Lorrayne Riggs to explore the creative possibilities of mark making.
RSVP to Lorrayne via 0467 668 977
Artstate is coming our way in 2019!
On Saturday 3rd November, Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Don Harwin MLC announced Tamworth will be the next host city for Artstate, Regional Arts NSW’s celebration of arts across the state. The event will take place from Thursday, October 31st to Sunday, November 3rd 2019.
Minister Harwin said, “Tamworth is an authentic Australian heartland beating with rhythm and talent. With its deep roots in music and live performance, it was only a matter of time before it was sighted as the perfect host for Artstate.
“As the conference enters its third year, I’m more eager than ever to see the light shine on the local Tamworth community as New South Wales once again offers up an exquisite line-up of regional, national and international speakers to share with us their knowledge and experiences.”
Tamworth is a major regional centre in the New England region. The city has a thriving arts scene and is home to the world’s second largest country music festival, the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Tamworth Cr Glenn Inglis said, “Tamworth Regional Council is thrilled to be announced as the hosting region for the 2019 Artstate Conference. We look forward to joining the conversation, showcasing Tamworth’s cultural heritage and enriching our future through the expression of arts and culture.”
Regional Arts NSW CEO Elizabeth Rogers said, “Regional Arts NSW is delighted to welcome Tamworth Regional Council as our local government partner and Arts North West as our co-presenter for Artstate 2019.”
Artstate is a four-year program presented by Regional Arts NSW which aims to shine a light on excellence in regional arts practice and to explore the exciting possibilities for arts and cultural development across the state. Artstate kicked off in 2017 in Lismore before moving to Bathurst in 2018.
Artstate features a conference program with keynote speakers from around Australia and overseas which runs alongside an extensive arts program highlighting artistic talent from around the region.
Doors Opening Across the New England High Country for Arts Trail Open Weekend
In celebration of all that the New England High Country has to offer, the second North West Arts Trail Open Weekend for 2018 is shaping up to be a wonderful weekend of culture and creativity.
The Open Weekend will give visitors and locals the opportunity to explore artist studios, galleries, museums and cultural venues in the Armidale, Uralla and Walcha region on the weekend of 27th and 28th of October.
Steph McIntosh, Communications Officer with Arts North West explains that “anyone visiting the area on the Open Weekend can create a personalized route and stop off at the various venues on the map. Whether you are interested in arts, crafts or history there is huge diversity in the range of wonderful and welcoming venues including artist studios and workshop spaces where visitors can see artists in action either painting, printing or potting.”
The hardcopy map has been distributed throughout the region and an online map can be downloaded here www.artsnw.com.au/open-weekend-map
Creating Creative Careers for Aboriginal Curators in the New England North West
Arts North West is excited to announce another successful project rolling out in the coming months. Create the Curator is a professional development program aimed at providing emerging regional Aboriginal curators with an opportunity to build on their skills and establish themselves as curators living and working in regional NSW.
Four regional Aboriginal emerging curators will participate in a three part professional development project to build their skills, experience and networks and gain significant insight into the various environments curators work in.
Professional and renowned curators Sandra McMahon, Caroline Downer and Sharni Jones will work with the participants through a series of workshops and site visits. These visits will include a variety of creative spaces from, Aboriginal owned and run galleries, regional galleries, commercial galleries to community spaces throughout the Armidale, Tamworth and Moree region.
Arts North West has contracted the management of this project to 2 Rivers Pty Ltd. “This is an excellent opportunity for experienced arts workers to develop into regional Aboriginal curators enabling them to promote not only their own skills but also that of other regional Aboriginal Artists” said Project Manager Lorrayne Riggs, “This project is the result of community consultation and identifying a real gap in the market for regional Aboriginal curators, it will promote long term cultural, social and economic outcomes”.
The emerging curators will use their new skill set in a practical way as they work towards presenting a group curated exhibition in 2019. The exhibition will be held at Weswal Gallery in Tamworth and will be a wonderful opportunity to begin building their portfolio of experience.
This project aims to engage and promote regional Aboriginal artists, arts and culture by introducing more Aboriginal people to curatorial positions in regional New South Wales. By doing so, long term collaborations and exciting exhibitions can be developed along with boosting audience development and innovative projects that possibly have not been considered before.
Successful projects announced in Round One of the Regional Cultural Fund for New England North West
Successful projects announced in Round One of the Regional Cultural Fund for New England North West
Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Inc., Development completion – New England North West ($846,000)
This funding will enable the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (ACCKP) to complete its gallery works, car park, footpath, landscaping and install solar panels on the building. Being the only fully operating Aboriginal cultural centre and keeping place in the New England North West region, the ACCKP has become a significant venue for the community and surrounding regions.
Guyra & District Historical Society Inc., Museum refurbishment – New England North West ($60,000)
The Guyra Historical Museum will undergo a major refurbishment and renovation, which includes painting the whole building, electrical and plumbing repairs, replacement of doors and flooring where necessary, and the temporary removal of all museum display objects whilst these works take place. The project also includes a new research space and upgrade of data research tools.
Inverell Shire Council, Inverell Town Hall annex upgrade – New England North West ($26,440)
The upgrade of the Inverell Town Hall annex will re-energise the arts landscape in Inverell by boosting the capacity of the 1905 venue to host a wider variety of events. Following the upgrade, the annex will host arts, cultural and heritage events including drama workshops, pop up theatre, short films, acoustic live music performance, contemporary dance, week-long artist-in-residence programs and visual art exhibitions.
Moree Plains Shire Council, Civic Precinct redevelopment – New England North West ($1,052,182)
The Moree Civic Precinct – incorporating the Memorial Hall, Banquet Hall and Moree Plains Library – is an iconic 1923 building set in the heart of Moree’s main street. It has long been the home of the dramatic arts for the region, however needs redevelopment to satisfy the current and future requirements of theatrical and dance groups, visiting stage shows, schools and community groups. The redevelopment will improve heating and cooling, access, amenity, acoustics, access for people with a disability, and fire safety, and provide a safe and modern stage.
Narrabri Shire Council, Outdoor cinema screen – New England North West ($9,480)
Narrabri Shire Council will purchase an outdoor cinema screen and operating accessories for use throughout the shire (and adjoining shires when requested). It will provide cinematic, cultural and artistic experiences for the broader community and be available for community fundraising activities. The equipment will be based in Narrabri and transported to various locations as needed to serve the needs of community groups, outlying towns and neighbouring shires.
Tamworth Regional Council, Barraba Museum revitalisation – New England North West ($52,805)
The revitalisation of the Barraba Museum will provide essential upgrades to the museum buildings to better support site activation, place making and access to the museum and its collection. This volunteer run museum requires essential building maintenance to provide a safe, secure and accessible museum that adequately cares for its collection. The project is supported by a dynamic volunteer community.
Tamworth Regional Gallery, TRANSMIT project– New England North West ($58,500)
TRANSMIT will provide large-scale portable and permanent digital screens to enable wide community access to events occurring in places such as state galleries and universities. It will also support education programs for all ages and abilities. The screens will be located inside the Tamworth Regional Gallery and in other locations in the region. TRANSMIT supports access to the arts in regional Australia, the principle priority of the gallery since it opened nearly 100 years ago. TRANSMIT was launched on the gallery’s centenary 1 June 2019.
Uralla Shire Council, Aboriginal Cultural Display – New England North West ($16,196)
Uralla Shire Council has been approached by Local Aboriginal Elders wishing to loan or donate artefacts to preserve and assist the community in learning about local cultural heritage. This display will offer a diverse and distinctive cultural experience by encouraging development and growth in the regional cultural sector. The cabinets will be placed in the soon-to-be-upgraded Visitor Information Centre allowing tourists and locals to experience and learn about the local Aboriginal Culture and strengthen the relationships between the Local Elders, Uralla Shire Council, the local Community and the high tourist market.