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
Starting Ground Workshop for Aboriginal Musicians
APRA AMCOS, in partnership with Create New South Wales and Arts North West, will once again bring its successful Starting Ground workshop to the region, with the two-day program taking place 1-2 August at the Youthie. Aboriginal musicians at any stage in their career looking to further develop creative and business skills are invited to attend. Sessions run 9am-5pm each day.
A dynamic mix of top artists and industry leaders will cover key areas: songwriting, music production, artist management, touring and live performance, marketing and promotion and more.
Coming to Tamworth are singer-songwriter Leah Flanagan, local blues artist and 2018 Tamworth Regional Council Volunteer of the Year Buddy Knox, hip-hop artist and record label founder Fred Leone, producer/engineer Anna Laverty, and Greg Carey of Grow Yourself Up, artist manager for The Rubens and Urthboy. APRA AMCOS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Representative Michael Hutchings will facilitate the sessions.
Established in 2015 with support from the New South Wales Government, the Starting Ground project was created to help Aboriginal musicians build their skills, promote their work, develop career pathways and access mainstream music markets.
This marks the third year in a row that Starting Ground has come to Tamworth, with previous workshops also taking place in Eden, Byron Bay, Dubbo and Redfern, and artists mentored include local musician Athol Munro, Loren-Jade Ryan, Dylan Goolagong, Sean Kinchela, Tom Avery, Tamwah Williams and up-and-coming country artist Maddi Lyn.
“Starting Ground gives First Nations artists a unique opportunity to work with some of this country’s finest songwriters and music industry leaders. The intensive two-day workshop gives artists a chance to not only gain valuable professional advice and skills but also the confidence to push their music into the future,” said Michael Hutchings.
Registration via Eventbrite
Questions about participating? Please contact
Michael Hutchings, APRA AMCOS, mhutchings@apra.com.au (0447 447 646) or
Danielle Tuwai, APRA AMCOS, dtuwai@apra.com.au