A NEW ARTS NORTH WEST WEBSITE CONNECTING CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

In what has been a year full of challenges and adapting to a new normal, Arts North West is excited to launch another new initiative for the New England North West, an expansion of the Arts North West Connect program and website.

First launched in 2012 as Country Art Escapes, Arts North West Connect started as a physical art trail through the New England North West, promoting arts and cultural venues through hardcopy maps, a phone app, and a website. This original version operated on a subscriber model and at its peak, incorporated around 70 subscriber venues.

In 2018, Country Art escapes underwent a refresh and a rebrand, transforming into Arts North West Connect, shifting focus to be primarily a subscriber based online arts directory promoting cultural venues, artists and events in region.

From the end of 2020, Arts North West Connect will be taking on a completely new look and purpose. Firstly, and fore mostly, Arts North West Connect will be completely free and cover the entire New England North West creative and cultural landscape.

“2020 has brought about a complete overhaul of way in which we operate at Arts North West, we have had to rethink ways in which we interact with our arts and cultural community and the ways in which we can best support the region as we begin to reopen to the new norm” said Steph McIntosh, from Arts North West.

The new Arts North West Connect website launching in the coming weeks, has been separated into sections to capture the myriad of talents and skills in the region, arts and cultural venues, artists portfolios, technical skills registry, comprehensive maps, and events.

“Arts North West Connect will be an incredible and valuable resource for the entire New England North West region. This will essentially be the most comprehensive database of all things creative and cultural in the region, disguised as a new snazzy and sleek website.

This approach of crossing across 12 different local government areas, through a unified website, promoting solely arts, culture, and tourism in the region, has never been done before in this region. Steph McIntosh

We are determined to make this a success, but the website will only be as good as the information that is put into it, so please follow us on Facebook and spread the word” Mrs. McIntosh continued.

In celebration of the new website and just in time for Christmas, Arts North West Connect will also be facilitating an online Market Place for the month of December. Details will be released via the Arts North West Facebook page and Arts North West Connect website www.artsnwconnect.com.au

Individuals, groups, organisations wanting to register their details can do so all online via the website.

NENW Aboriginal Arts Strategy to be rolled out after funding boost

Arts North West are delighted to receive funding from the Federal Government to support and foster Aboriginal artists in the New England North West by engaging Lorrayne Fishenden and 2 Rivers Pty Ltd to implement the NENW Aboriginal Arts Strategy.

This supports strong participation by Aboriginal artists in a professional, sustainable visual arts industry including exhibitions, art fairs, professional and skills development through mentoring and workshops, online resource development and networking opportunities. The strategy focuses on training and resources to inform investment and best practice that will result in positive outcomes for the region by strengthening capacities for self-determination, transmission of culture to future generations and increasing sustainable career pathways through arts and cultural pursuits.

"We are thrilled that this funding will allow us to get back out there and reengage with the incredible Aboriginal artists in the New England North West. We will be focusing on creating economic outcomes for visual artists through a series of different opportunities, designed around the needs and the wants of our community." said Lorrayne Fishenden, 2 Rivers Pty Ltd Managing Director.

For more information please contact Lorrayne Fishenden on 0467 668 977 or email lorrayne@2rivers.com.au

Second Arts Grant Funding Round a Success

MICRO GRANT ROUND ONE SUCCESS STORY:

CARRYING ON from the huge success of the first round, Arts North West are pleased to announce that thirteen creative endeavours have been successfully funded across the New England North West region, through the second round of Arts North West Micro Grants. Due to COVID 19, cutbacks were made on normal spending, giving Arts North West the opportunity to offer the funding to the New England North West region.

The application process was identical to the first round, with a tight turnaround time for applications, but the New England North West responded enthusiastically, submitting numerous applications, for an array of creative project and also creative needs.

“It was evident after the first round of Micro Grants that there was a strong demand in our region for assistance during these difficult times” Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer

“More often than not, grant applications come with a lot complexities and processes. The beauty of our Micro Grants is that we are able to assist creatives from our region in a myriad of ways including the purchasing of equipment, professional development, creative workshops, through an incredibly simple and quick application process.” Ms Downer continued.

The successful applicants are as follows:

Sally Alden Photography, Liverpool Plains
Purchase of portable LED lighting for use in photography business

Art Life Studio, Inverell
Camera purchase for high res documentation, reference library

Bronwyn Clarke, Armidale
Camera purchase for video development and audience engagement

David Allan, Armidale
Home-base residency to design patterns for fantasy creatures

Isabelle Devos, Armidale
Working en plein air – New England National Park

Gunnedah Eisteddfod Society Inc, Gunnedah
Website management and technical support for online portal

Roger (Buddy) Knox, Tamworth
Online mentoring and teaching

Rams Gully Workshops, Walcha
Workshop studio furniture

Loren Ryan Music, Tamworth
Contribution to studio time and production for 2 original songs

The Musicians of Armidale Inc, Armidale
Live-streaming Black Gully Festival

New England Writers’ Centre, Armidale
A series of 2-3 minute videos by local writers, illustrators, editors and publishers.

Maryanne Piper, Tamworth
Musical compositions based on interactions with nature in the New England North West region

Tamworth Art Collective, Tamworth
Supporting covid-safe collateral for the “Blind spot” exhibition

The Arts North West Micro Grants were 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 do not require a specific outcome but can focus on skills development or capacity-building.

Subscribe to the Arts North West eNews via the www.artnw.com.au for announcements of future Arts North West Micro Grants funding rounds.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COUNTRY ARTS SUPPORT PROGRAM

Haunting (Vic McEwan + George Main) and Vanishing Point: Swan Hoppers Legacy (Julie Montgarrett + Vic McEwan + Clytie Smith) for On Common Ground. Photo by James T Farley.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COUNTRY ARTS SUPPORT PROGRAM

Create NSW has announced applications for the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) 2021 are now open for regional NSW not for profit organisations and local collectives.

Funding is available to support regional NSW community arts and cultural development through grants of up to either $3,000 or $5,000, for projects including arts activities as part of community festivals or events, performances, exhibitions, workshops and other local arts initiatives.

Create NSW Executive Director Chris Keely said the annual Country Arts Support Program supports regional NSW arts and cultural activities by increasing opportunities for organisations to showcase a range of arts programs that focus on the community and create social benefits for the regions.

“Create NSW is committed to funding artistic development in our State’s regions and showcasing NSW’s diverse history and contemporary life through cultural expression.

“The program will support arts and cultural activities across the State and allow regional communities to explore and express their cultural identities through local arts projects, reinforcing that NSW is the engine-room of creativity,” said Mr Keely.

Grants are available primarily for professional artists’ fees, travel and accommodation that will support a range of activities including workshops, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, seminar and exhibitions.

The fund is delivered in partnership with the 14 Regional Arts Development Organisations.

The program is designed to assist locally determined, regional NSW community arts and cultural activities that will lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural expression and diversity and increase the sustainability of regionally-based community arts organisations.

Applications for the Country Arts Support Program 2021 close 5pm Tuesday 29 September 2020 for projects to commence on 1 January 2021. More information, including the guidelines, can be found on the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-funding-program/casp.

Small Arts Grants Extended to Second Round

A range of independent artists of the New England North West are set to benefit with the announcement of Arts North West’s second round of Quick Response Micro Grants, but applicants will need to get their submissions in fast.

Arts North West has identified opportunities for expenditure that falls outside its annual budget. This allows for multiple small grants of up to $1000 for creative practitioners, community groups and arts organisations working in all art forms.

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.

“We were thrilled to see the vast scope of the work undertaken at this challenging time,” Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer

“The artists of our region have been getting very busy during the pandemic, and its been great to see their stories filtering through the local media as their projects come together.”

According to Ms Downer, applicants don’t require an outcome-based application.

“Arts North West is keen to support creatives to develop new approaches to their work, or experiment with innovative ways of delivering work to audiences they might not normally have the time or opportunity to access,’ she said.

“Some of the successful first-round applicants worked with new software, or took on a medium they were unfamiliar with, and the extra time afforded by the closure of businesses and public places allowed for plenty of experimentation.

“It’s wonderful to be able to extend this opportunity, now that it appears the pandemic will continue to impact many cultural venues throughout our region. We’re hoping these micro grants will go on assisting the artists that are an integral part of the New England North West.”

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.

There is a very quick turnaround for applying these micro grants, with applications open now and closing on 7 September 2020. Successful applicants will be notified on 18 September 2020. Previous unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply.

To apply to the Arts North West Micro Grants Round 2, visit the Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au or contact the Arts North West office for more information (02) 6732 4988.

From Textile Trove to Fabric Folk Tales

TEXTILE TALES: Nundle artist Natasha Soonchild is working on a new series of soft sculptures crafted from recycled fabrics (photo: supplied)

A NUNDLE-BASED artist has dusted off a collection of discarded fabrics to transform into new works during the COVID-19 closure of arts venues, in an ‘at-home’ residency supported by a micro grant from Arts North West.

Natasha Soonchild lives and practices her art from Stormcrow Studio. From there she’s been exploring and developing three-dimensional works using materials and techniques unfamiliar to her.

“I am also researching and developing an at-home sewing kit utilising recycled textiles,” she told Arts North West.

“I have found it to be quite challenging working in a new medium!

“Over many years I have collected discarded textiles with the aim of creating soft-sculptures, so I do not lack the raw materials. It is the nature of those materials and how to manipulate them that I am having to learn about.

“There have been lots of experiments and trial-and-error.” Natasha Soonchild

According to Natasha the learning process has involved online courses in raised embroidery, and textile toy design and pattern creation.

“This is the first time I have used an online platform for learning,” she said.

“I am gaining a wealth of knowledge in the specific skills and also developing an understanding of online learning, skills building and sharing resources.

“It has been great research for the at-home sewing kit I am developing as part of this project.”

Visual inspiration

While undertaking her project, Natasha – a sculptor, designer, painter, printmaker and recycler – has been researching a selection of traditional English and Scottish ballads collected by American folklorist Francis James Child, referred to as the ‘Child Ballads’.

“I have always been fascinated by folk tales and wanted to frame my project through the lens of the characters, creatures and themes that feature in these ballads,” she said.

“This research has also led me to reach back into my own memory of folk tales I read as a child which were inhabited with witches, selkies and changelings, and has proven to be a wealth of visual inspiration.

“I am looking forward to sharing my depictions of these stories through soft sculptural forms.”

The results of Natasha’s project will be presented on her social media accounts (instagram: @stormcrow_studio / facebook: @stormcrowstudionundle). She will also post an online portfolio of the project on her website: www.stormcrowstudio.com along with the at-home sewing kit for sale.

ARTIST VIEWS OF THE PANORAMA PROJECT

Artist Maree Kelly’s favourite view from the top of Long Mountain, Curlewis (Image supplied by Maree Kelly)

932 SKETCHBOOKS have made their way out across the New England North West as part of Arts North West’s Panorama Project.

Arts North West were also able to pay 10 emerging and professional artists to be part of this historic project. With over 30 applications, the following artists were successful:

• Nadia Kliendanze, Inverell

• Maree Kelly, Gunnedah

• Carmel Higgins, Tenterfield

• Paula Jenkins, Walcha

• James O’Hanlon, Armidale

• Trish Petersen, Armidale

• Jan Clark, Rocky River

• Joanne Stead, Tamworth

• Isabelle Devos, Armidale

• Sophie Masson, Armidale

“I was delighted to be involved with the project as I thought it was a great initiative from Arts North West to engage with the many creative people living in our region during such a hard time for the arts community in particular. The project was a great way to help keep people inspired and working creatively” said Gunnedah based artist, Maree Kelly.

Arts North West recognised this time of national self-isolation meant countless creative workshops and opportunities have been cut off, postponed or cancelled. To meet this challenge, the organisation took a scheduled project off the drawing table and reconfigured it as a community project for people to do at home.

“For me personally, I found joy in going back to basics and working in a small sketchbook with drawing media. I found myself rediscovering my ‘backyard’ and looking more closely at my environment, which I most definitely take a bit too much for granted. It was fabulous to have something to focus on to keep the creativity flowing and to start developing ideas for new work in my own arts practice.” Ms Kelly continued.

Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer has been overwhelmed by the success of the project.

“Even though this project spans across 12 council areas and thousands of kilometers, there is a real sense of community and connectiveness involved with this project” Ms Downer said.

“We were thrilled with the EOI applications we received, and the recipients are a great reflection of the quality and diversity of the New England North West creative landscape.” She continued.

The Panorama Project will begin its tour around the New England North West libraries starting around September. Follow the Arts North West Facebook page for more details.