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More arts funding for regional and remote New South Wales
Wednesday 22 June 2005
Regional Arts NSW today announced an additional $84,080 in grants from the
Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund for 2004-2005 to support five new community
arts initiatives in regional and remote New South Wales.
The additional funds are the result of the announcement by the Federal Government
last September of an increase in the Regional Arts Fund to address priority areas
of unmet need for arts development support - in remote, isolated and Indigenous
communities of New South Wales and for communities which have not previously benefited
from a Regional Arts Fund grant.
The announcement brings to 24 the total number projects funded by the Regional
Arts Fund in New South Wales for 2004-2005, and the total commitment to over $358,000
for community-based cultural development in regional and remote New South Wales.
The five new projects were selected from amongst a number of high quality,
but unfunded, applications for the 2004-2005 Regional Arts Fund round and by re-visiting
projects funded under the program between 2001 and 2004.
"When you see the ground breaking projects that the Regional Arts Fund supports
in rural, remote and isolated New South Wales, at least we can say the creative
drought has broken," said Victoria Keighery, CEO of Regional Arts NSW.
"Regional areas in New South Wales are developing some of the most innovative
and exciting projects and programs we've seen for a long time and the people involved
in them are demonstrating the incredible value of the arts in enriching community
life."
The projects
The 5 new projects to be supported through the Regional Arts Fund for 2004-2005
are:
- "Women's View" - The Yoorana-Gunya Family
Violence Healing Centre Aboriginal Corp, $10,000
An extension of two community and peer education programs in Murrin Bridge demonstrating
the relevance of arts and cultural expression in community education, healing
and economic development - "Weaving the Net", teaching about the damage
of violence in children's lives and "Yalmambiladhaany" ("The ones
who teach others") providing basic information about puberty, pregnancy,
relationships and parenting. The workshops involve a wide range of arts components
including puppetry, drama, writing and quilting.
- The Outback Dance Residency" - Outback Arts, $11,280
Building on a successful project in 2004 which saw two professional dancers from
Sydney teaching in isolated schools in the Far West - Nyngan, Cobar, Bourke, Coonamble
and Walgett, the new project will enable an extension of the residencies to reach
smaller schools in Collarenebri, Goodooga, Byrock, Carinda, Quambone and Enngonia.
- "Writing the Waves" - Outback Arts, $12,800
A follow up to a multi-media writing project which saw children's author and illustrator,
Paul Stafford, in residence in 12 remote schools of the Far West - in Carinda,
Quambone, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri, Byrock, Enngonia, Weilmoringle, Cobar
and Hermidale - then as online mentor for the students. Work was posted on to
a website and radio interviews produced. The new project brings the short story
and illustration workshops to Walgett, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Warren and
Nyngan.
- "Stories of the Central West" - Arts OutWest,
$10,000
A pilot media campaign developed for and by young people to address issues of
violent and anti-social behaviour in Bathurst, Condobolin, Forbes, Lachlan and
Parkes. The project involves a workshop program developing writing and filmmaking
skills then adapting these works to mainstream media with mentoring assistance
from Prime TV, local print media, Arts OutWest and Charles Sturt University.
- "Teatro Exo" - Arts Upper Hunter, $40,000
over 2 years
A two year residency for 3 artists in the eac local government area of the Upper
Hunter region - Gloucester, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter - to assist
communities to plan design and implement Public Art projects. The project addresses
the priorities of Arts Upper Hunter's Strategic Cultural Plan, particularly its
long term goal of increasing arts content in established community programs and
events.
Most of these projects build on the momentum and credibility of a previous
Regional Art Fund project which has already established networks and working relationships
- especially important in smaller, more isolated communities and those with less
developed cultural infrastructure.
Media Contact
Rachael Vincent, Communications & Promotions Tel 02 9247 8577 ext 5
The Regional Arts Fund is the Australian Government's regional
arts program, which gives artists and communities throughout regional, rural and
remote Australia better access to opportunities to practice and experience the
arts.
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