Regional Futures: A Celebration of Regional Creativity and Vision
Regional Futures was a state-wide program of creative development and conversations that placed artists at the heart of a dialogue exploring their vision for the future of the places where they live and create. Managed by the NSW Regional Arts Network and funded by Create NSW, the program invited artists to reflect on the question, "What does the future of the region look like?" and celebrated regional creative practice and diverse perspectives.
In 2022, Arts North West supported four talented artists from the New England North West to develop two collaborative projects as part of Stage 1 of the program:
Joanne Stead, a Tamworth-based artist, focused on themes of ‘Threatened Species’ and sustainability, drawing from years of exhibitions and public art projects since resuming her practice in 2015.
Tania Hartigan, a proud Gomeroi woman, weaver, papermaker, and painter, brought her deep knowledge of bush foods and cultural heritage, along with her work as owner of ‘The Artshack’ at Wallabadah.
Mike Terry, an Armidale-based photographer and visual anthropologist, contributed a global perspective drawn from his work in the UK, America, and Australia.
Dr. Alana Blackburn, a professional recorder player and Senior Lecturer at UNE in Armidale, added her expertise in music and her extensive touring experience across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Throughout 2022, twenty-nine artists from across regional NSW developed projects responding to the prompt "What does the future of the region look like?" Working in diverse mediums, these artists reflected on the complex challenges and opportunities facing their communities.
In June 2023, many of these artists presented their work at Casula Powerhouse in Western Sydney, sharing the fruits of their labour and continuing the conversation about the future of regional NSW.
In 2024, Artists in Volatile Landscapes was a state-wide program of creative development and conversations that placed artists at the heart of a dialogue exploring their future vision for the places where they lived and created.
The program featured a Symposium on 22 July and an Exhibition that ran from 24 June to 24 September at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
