Regional Arts NSW - The peak body for regional arts activity in New South Wales

Regional Arts Fund now open in NSW

28 September 2004

Regional Arts NSW is pleased to announce that the Regional Arts Fund - one of the key funding sources for arts and cultural activities in regional, rural and remote communities in Australia - is now open for applications in NSW.

The core aim of the Regional Arts Fund, which is a national initiative of the Australian Government, is to promote arts and cultural activities that

Funding is available for projects commencing from 1 January 2005 in the categories of New Initiatives, Partnerships and Residencies & Mentorships. In addition, from 1 October 2004, a limited number of grants of up to $1,500 will also be available under the Quick Response Grants Program.

"We encourage applicants to develop proposals that help them to grow beyond their current capacities and that increase engagement by communities in local arts and cultural development activities," said Victoria Keighery, CEO of Regional Arts NSW.

Regional Arts NSW is particularly pleased to announce the call for applications after nearly 12 months of lobbying for the continuation of the Fund with other state peak regional arts organisations and Regional Arts Australia. Regional Arts NSW has administered the Fund in NSW for the past 3 years and will now continue in this role for the next 4 years.

A total of $10.7m over the 4 years was committed to the Fund in the 2004-2005 Federal Budget, with a further $5.4m announced by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, the Hon Rod Kemp at a special event hosted by South East Arts Region, a NSW Regional Arts Board, on 11 September.

"The increased funding will be a significant boost to the capacity of the RAF and will allow the funding of some additional long term projects with real and sustained impacts in regional communities," said Ms Keighery.

Applications
Instructions, Guidelines and Application Forms for the Regional Arts Fund can be downloaded from this website here. The closing date for applications is 1 November 2004.

General Enquiries
The Funding and Research Officer
Tel 02 9247 8577 ext 8
Email funding@regionalartsnsw.com.au