GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS RETURNS TO NORTHERN TABLELANDS IN 2022

A STATE Government initiative to light up the region’s COVID-19 affected live music scene will tour the region again in 2022, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall sitting by his computer waiting to buy tickets for the Great Southern Nights.

The month-long event has been created to support the recovery of the live music, hospitality and tourism industries in a COVID-safe environment.

Mr Marshall urged hospitality venues across the region to sweep the dust off their stages, turn on their mics and support the local live music scene.

“Last November venues in Armidale and Glen Innes participated in Great Southern Nights, hosting seven different artists from across the New England North West,” Mr Marshall said.

“With Great Southern Nights returning between 18 March and 10 April 2022, I would like to see the volume turned up a notch, with a show in each of our major towns.

“Eligible venues can apply to be part of the Great Southern Nights program via the event website.

“Coming out of lockdown, it’s obvious there is a thirst in the community for great local entertainment.

“Great Southern Nights is an opportunity to get people back into hospitality venues, support performing arts and help businesses to retain jobs.”

Mr Marshall said financial assistance would be provided to venues chosen to host shows.

“Venues will be provided up to $2,500 for one gig, with the financial contribution to be used towards promoting the event,” he said.

“A minimum of $1,500 must be guaranteed to the artist, while the remaining $1,000 will support venue costs, such as production staff, security and front of house staff.

“Live music brings communities together, creates business for venues and local contractors, and importantly lifts the spirits of everyone involved, which is incredibly powerful after these challenging times.”

Shows will be held from 18 March to 10 April 2022.

For information, and for venues to submit an expression of interest, visit www.greatsouthernnights.com.au

Expressions of Interest must be lodged via the online form by 5pm on 8 October 2021.

Adam Marshall MP
Member for Northern Tablelands
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW

MEDIA: Kris Wall 0447 432 392

11 NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST CREATIVE PROJECTS FUNDED BY ARTS NORTH WEST

11 creative endeavours have been successfully funded through the third round of the Arts North West Micro Grants program. The program was originally developed as a direct response to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. Due to the overwhelming response from the New England North West creative community in 2020, Arts North West has made Micro Grant funding a part of their 2021 programming.

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. Arts North West recognises the recent hardships faced by the New England North West including drought, bushfire, mouse plague and COVID-19 and their effects on arts practice or arts businesses.

“We are still finding ourselves in very unusual times in the New England North West and we really understand the difficulties faced by the arts and cultural communities in our region” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer. “Yet again, we are absolutely thrilled at the response to this initiative, with over 40 applications received which is a significant increase on last year. This goes to show that despite the current challenges faced by the sector, the arts and culture landscape in the New England North West is a very resilient one” Ms Downer continued.

The successful applicants are as follows:

1. Tania Hartigan, Wallabadah: Continue development of creating natural inks from native plants growing in this region.

2. Buluuy Mirrii, Tamworth: To prepare for the upcoming Fabrics of Multicultural Australia (FOMA) in 2021-2022 at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney.

3. Goldheist, Tamworth: Record a live acoustic EP of love songs.

4. Sophie Honess, Tamworth: To seek the services of A2 framing in Armidale for upcoming solo exhibition at Weswal Gallery, Tamworth.

5. Yulugi Marumali, Moree: To create dance tutorial videos that will include basic dance tips and terminology.

6. James O’Hanlon, Armidale: To buy supplies that will be used to prepare a series of entirely new artworks for exhibition.

7. Arushi Nayar, Gunnedah: Work on an artistic project about experiences of living on a farm.

8. Marianne la Cour, Glen Innes: To develop resources for future teaching.

9. Beattie Alvarez, Armidale: To write, illustrate and print a series of micro stories, based around the toys that I make.

10. Helena Pastor, Armidale: To cover the costs of an online writing course offered through Writing NSW and a new author photo.

11. Vicky Taylor, Kentucky: Hire a video producer to produce a 10-minute video of local contemporary lace makers.

For more information, contact Caroline Downer via rado@artsnw.com.au

Arts Connections Online Market Place

Are you signed up to our Arts North West Connect website? A FREE online registry promoting creatives, cultural venues and artsworkers in the New England North West region of New South Wales. If you are, we have a great opportunity for you in the lead up to Christmas!

We are running a FREE Arts Connections Online Market Place via the homepage of our Arts North West Connect website.

All I need from you is:

• one great image of an item you sell through your online shop (This could also be a workshops, tour, gift voucher etc)

• and a link to your online shop (Facebook shop, Etsy, website etc)

• Sign up via this link https://www.artsnwconnect.com.au/registration#/arts-connections-online-market-place/

If you aren’t already signed up to Arts North West Connect, follow this link to register your details www.artsnwconnect.com.au and then sign up to the our Art Connections Online Market Place

BE PART OF YOUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

Expression of Interest Regional Futures Project Manager

Expression of Interest

Regional Arts Network – Regional Futures Project Manager

The Regional Arts Network (RAN) consists of 14 Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) supporting and advocating for arts engagement in regional NSW. RAN is about to embark on an exciting two-year Strategic Project and is seeking expressions of interest for a qualified project manager based in regional NSW. The role will oversee the development and delivery of the Regional Futures Project. It is a region-wide initiative, showcasing excellence in regional arts and will provide opportunities for regional artists, curators and key partners to take part in a regional discussion. This role is supported by Create NSW and the Regional Arts Network.

For the EOI - Provide a cover letter demonstrating your ability to take on this initiative and include a CV, a one-page summary of why you want to be involved in the project, sample of previous projects managed and 2 references.

If you would like to know more about the Regional Futures Project, please contact Caroline Downer, Executive Director at Arts North West (rado@artsnw.com.au) or Orana Arts Executive Director, Alicia Leggett at rado@oranaarts.com

Click here to download the Project Manager responsibilities.