FAY NELSON APPOINTED RICO FOR THE MID NORTH COAST
The Mid North Coast Regional Arts Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Fay Nelson as its inaugural Regional Indigenous Cultural Officer. A former Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council, Fay is an internationally recognised authority on Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal art. She has extensive, high level skills and experience in the development and delivery Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural policy and programs. Fay will be working on the development of Indigenous arts and cultural infrastructure and project activity across the Mid North Coast region. Fay will be based at Mid North Coast Regional Arts office and can be contacted on Tel 02 6659 3360. For more information go to www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/news/f-nelson-rico-18-12-01.html.

NEW RADO FOR THE UPPER HUNTER
The Upper Hunter Arts Program has just announced the appointment of Ruth Neave as the new Regional Arts Development Officer (RADO) for the Upper Hunter region. Ruth has around eighteen years professional experience in the arts and community sector and she has been a board member for the Footscray Community Arts Centre. She is also a singer and a musician (playing both bass and cello). Ruth will be relocating from Victoria to Murrurundi to take up the position of RADO, starting on January 2 2002. She can be contacted after that on Tel 02 6546 66121.

LAST CHANCE TO SUBSCRIBE TO ARTREACH AT DISCOUNTED RATE
Hurry! Time is running out to subscribe at a reduced rate to ArtReach, the Regional Arts NSW quarterly magazine about the arts and cultural development in regional and rural NSW. Normally priced at $31.00 per annum, 2002 subscriptions are currently on offer to early birds at a crazy $26.00 including GST and postage (no steak knives included). Post us a cheque or send us a fax with a note including your contact details and credit card authority (Visa, Mastercard or Bankcard, include card number, expiry date + signature) by January 7 2002. For more information go to www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/resources/pubs_subscription.html

BE PART OF THE BIGGEST ARTS INDUSTRY GATHERING IN AUSTRALIA
Join the Priority Mailing List for GROUNDSWELL: 2002 Regional Arts Australia National Conference at The Crossing Place: Albury Wodonga, 10-13 October 2002. With over 200,000 people actively involved, the regional arts sector is bigger than the home building industry and the road transport sector. In 2002, the national focus of this diverse, active, creative and geographically separated sector will be GROUNDSWELL. The last RAA national conference, in Esperance WA in 2000, drew 400 people with a waiting list of 100. Be the first to receive the registration brochure and secure a place in 2002 by joining the Priority Mailing List. Forward your contact details to Ann Hinchliffe Email ann@regionalartsnsw.com.au Tel 02 9247 8577 Fax 02 9247 7829. For more information got to www.regionalartsnsw.com.au and follow the link from the front page. Program updates will be posted on the website and announced in this e-Bulletin. GROUNDSWELL is presented by Regional Arts Australia and Regional Arts NSW in collaboration with the Regional Arts Board Albury Wodonga.

COUNTRY ARTS SUPPORT PROGRAM GUIDELINES NOW AVAILABLE
The Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Guidelines for 2002 are now online. Deadline for applications is 15 March 2002. In a special one-off joint initiative between Regional Arts NSW and the 2002 Year of the Outback working committee, an additional $50,000 has been made available under the program for projects in designated areas in the western regions of New South Wales. Read all about it under Grants on the Regional Arts NSW website at www.regionalartsnsw.com.au or contact your local RADO.
________________________________________

News

ABC TV COMMITMENT TO ARTS PROGRAMMING IN DOUBT
The Arts Show has ended and the ABC has no plans to replace it. For the first time in a decade no arts magazine program will be broadcast in prime-time on ABC Television. The sole arts magazine program next year will be Coast To Coast, which is on at 9:30am on a Sunday. The ABC says arts magazine programs struggle to attract an audience, but the national broadcaster has a duty under its charter to promote and present the arts. Read Gabriella Coslovich's article published in the Age on 13/12/01 at www.theage.com.au/entertainment/2001/12/13/FFXZV4XE5VC.html.

ARTS VICTORIA LAUNCHES REGIONAL ARTS SHOWBOOK
The plethora of physical and intellectual art resources located in regional Victoria has been highlighted in a new promotional hardcover booklet produced by the Victorian Ministry for the Arts. The booklet, which is in a concertina format with photographs and text, showcases a diversity of innovative arts-based projects from across the state. The aim is to raise awareness of the ideas and specific issues that concern the various regions and to advocate for the importance of documenting arts projects. For a copy The Arts Accordion contact Becky Sharpe Tel 03 9954 5043 Email sharpe@dpc.vic.gov.au. The booklet can also be viewed online at http://www.arts.vic.gov.au/interface/avpub.htm.
________________________________________

Grants + Prizes

NSW MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS PERFORMING ARTS TOURING PROGRAM
Round two of the Performing Arts Touring Program is now open, offering grants of up to $25,000 to bring to the people of regional NSW professional performing arts of the highest quality. The program primarily supports tours to, from and between regional centres. Tour grants cover fares, freight and artists' living allowances and occasionally administration and promotional costs. Contact the NSW Ministry for the Arts Tel 02 9228 5533 Freecall 1800 358 594 Email ministry@arts.nsw.gov.au Website www.arts.nsw.gov.au. Applications close February 28 2002.

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR AUSTRALIAN MUSICIANS
There are two travel grants schemes for Australian music industry professionals and businesses closing monthly until June 2002. The Regional Business Growth Fund offers assistance for music industry professionals to overcome distance barriers and enable them to build a strong national networking base. The International Extensions Fund offers funding for professionals already planning overseas travel to extend their trip to develop export markets. The Schemes are funded by the Australia Council for the Arts and managed by the Association of Independent Record Labels and the Music Managers' Forum. Operated entirely through the website: www.musicgrants.com.au.

bUzz YOUNG AND EMERGING MUSIC/SOUND PROGRAM
The Australia Council's Music Board presents bUzz, a funding program to support young and emerging artists working in music or sound utilising the Federal government's Young and Emerging Artist Initiative money for 2002. Artists, groups, or organisations can apply for up to $2,500 for any type of project that involves music and sound as the principle element. Contact Sean Bridgeman Tel 02 9215 9127 Toll-Free 1800 226 912 Email s.bridgeman@ozco.gov.au. First closing date is 1 March 2002.

NSW FILM & TV OFFICE YOUNG FILMMAKERS FUND
Grants of up to $30,000 towards film production or post-production costs. No restriction on format (film or tape), subject matter, genre or type of film: the YFF has funded short drama films, documentaries, animation projects and experimental films. NSW residents aged 18-35 producing their projects entirely in NSW are eligible. Applications must be on the YFF form and include a script, detailed budget and production schedule. Download the guidelines and form from www.fto.nsw.gov.au or contact the YFF Coordinator, Needeya Islam on Tel 02 9264 6400.

THE GORDON DARLING FOUNDATION
The Gordon Darling Foundation assists in promoting innovative projects in the visual arts through public institutions. Funding is available for: catalogs and publications; exhibition development; professional education initiatives; purchase of commission of artworks of unique/local importance; research projects and symposia . The Foundation supports projects of all kinds in the visual arts (other than capital works) and gives consideration to visionary projects that might not otherwise receive funding. Projects will be expected to attract considerable public exposure. The provision of funding is required to be under the auspices of a public institution, which recommends the project. Tel 03 9820 3168. Deadline for applications 31 December 2001

THE IAN POTTER CULTURAL TRUST ARTS GRANTS
The Ian Potter Cultural Trust Arts Grants are offered to promote literature, the visual arts, film, radio, Aboriginal and Torris Strait Islander arts, music, crafts, video, community arts, the Performing Arts, design, television and moveable cultural heritage. Assistance is provided to individuals involved in any of the following areas: for the purpose of their education, to enable them to travel or to facilitate the gaining of relevant experience by the recipient; or to enable the acquisition by the recipient of real and personal property (eg. a musical instrument) which the Trustees consider desirable for the purpose of their education. Guidelines are available from the website at www.ianpotter.org.au/ipct.htm or contact the Executive Secretary Tel 03 9650 3188 Email admin@ianpotter.org.au. Applications close 1 February 2002.

IAN POTTER FOUNDATION GRANTS
The Ian Potter Foundation provides grants for public charitable purposes in Australia in six areas. education, scientific and medical research, health, welfare, environment and conservation and the arts. The Foundation's specific purposes in the arts are: to support major cultural institutions and organisations in Australia, and through them to encourage, in particular, talented young people; and to support the linking of education and the arts with particular reference to extending cultural opportunities to regional centres, and encourage the development of arts programs at a local level. Applications for programs which cover more than one area are encouraged. Guidelines for the Foundation are available online at http://www.ianpotter.org.au/newipf.htm or contact the Executive Secretary on Tel 03 9650 3188 Email admin@ianpotter.org.au. Application close 1 February 2002.

THE ISLAND OF RESIDENCIES
The Tasmanian Writers' Centre invites Australian writers living in any Mainland State or Territory to apply for Writers' Residencies. Each of the Residencies will be for 3 weeks and are located throughout Tasmania. Applications must be received by 14th January 2002. For more information about the Island of Residencies visit www.fearless.net.au/taswriters/residencies-2002.htm.

AURORA - INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS FOR AUSTRALIAN SCRIPTS
A new initiative from the NSW FTO: an intensive feature film script development workshop beginning in April 2002. Submissions close on 4 February 2002 and applicants must read the guidelines and complete the application form. Go to: www.fto.nsw.gov.au/content/asp?content=3&id+102 or contact the NSW FTO on 022 9264 6400.

AUSTRALIAN FILM COMMISSION FUNDING
Applications are now being accepted for funding under several categories at the AFC. Documentaries - Quick Response, Feature Films - Draft Funding for Established Practitioners, Feature Films - Matched Investment Funding and Feature Films - Seed Funding - all with a deadline of 11 January 2002. Also Documentaries - Project Development and Documentaries - Seed Funding - with a deadline of 1 February 2002. For more information go to www.afc.gov.au or Tel 02 9321 6444.

THE CAS HAWKER SCHOLARSHIP
The Charles Allan Seymour (CAS) Hawker Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund was established to encourage others to follow Charles' example of help and service to his country and his fellow men and women. The scholarship is available to any Australian student undertaking a three or four year course of study approved by the Trustees in law, politics, economics, medicine or the arts. Successful applicants can choose to study at one of the nominated Australian universities (in NSW - the University of New England, and in the ACT - the ANU) or Cambridge University in the UK. For more information contact the Secretary to the Trustees Tel 08 8238 6295 Email
cesare.silvestri@au.towerlimited.com Website www.hawkerscholarship.org.
________________________________________

Opportunities

TRUE TALES IN PRINT
From 'noise': We have decided to publish 'the best of TRUE TALES OF LOVE AND HATE' as a small zine: "The zine will be made available across the country (free of charge in March 2002) and will give you people the chance to simultaneously impress and horrify the populace with your confessions, your advice and your glorious miscellany. For those of you who don't know, TRUE TALES OF LOVE AND HATE is the noise webzine project that has been running since October 1. You can take a squizz at what we've received so far by visiting www.noise.net.au/truetales. Anyway, for this new publication we're looking for writing, illustration, comics, photos - anything that we can reproduce in small booklet/zine format. Head off to www.noise.net.au for all the details - be quick though, submissions close on January 20.

WHERE THE HELL IS WOLLONGONG? SHORT SITED 6 FILM FESTIVAL
Wollongong's original short film festival, Short Sited, is back ... and going national for the first time in 2002. Categories include: * National - open to anyone outside of the Illawarra, films must and use the phrase "Where the hell is Wollongong?" * Illawarra Fiction - for any narrative, fictional short film by an Illawarra filmmaker and * Illawarra Non-Fiction - for any non-narrative or documentary film about a subject within the Illawarra region. All films must be no longer than 7 minutes. Entries close 5pm March 13 2002. Short films chosen to screen in competition will be shown at sunset in the Wollongong Botanic Garden on Saturday March 30 2002. For more information go to the news at www.filmillawarra.org.au, or contact David Kemmery Email dkemmery@uow.edu.au. ________________________________________

Have your say

ACT ARTS FACILITIES REVIEW
The Department of Urban Services in the ACT has called for public comments on their Arts Facilites Review which contains recommendations on government-owned arts facilities servicing the visual, literary and performing art communities in the ACT.
The aims are to uncover the needs of the local arts sector, and establish how to improve the condition of facilities, such as theatres and arts centres, to better meet the requirements of the arts community.
Contact Arts ACT Tel 02 6207 2384 or go to www.act.gov.au/government/reports/artsreview/. The deadline for comments is15 February 2002.

COMMUNITY VIEWS INVITED FOR 2002/03 FEDERAL BUDGET
The Federal Treasurer has invited submissions from individuals, business and community groups on their views regarding priorities for the 2002/03 Federal Budget, saying that the Government places considerable importance in receiving community views when developing its strategies and policies. The deadline for submissions is 15 February 2002.
Submisions should be forwarded to the Budget Policy Division, Department of the Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes, ACT 2600. For more information, contact: Lynne Thompson Tel 02 6263 3824
________________________________________

Conferences

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER VISUAL ARTS CONFERENCE
5 - 7 March 2002, Adelaide SA
The conference aims to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers to have a voice about the future of their professional practice, to share their knowledge, expertise and stories, and to make recommendations for the future support of Indigenous arts in this country. Interested members of the public and professionals working within the Indigenous arts industry are also welcome to attend. Intellectual and cultural property rights and issues for practising Indigenous artists will be discussed, as well as commercial issues, such as funding and marketing. Interested participants are invited to submit papers and workshop proposals. More information: www.IndigenousVisualArts.com.

THE FUTURE OF CULTURAL PRACTICE: MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY
23 March 2002, Felixstow SA
The conference aims to bring together diverse communities to discuss and workshop through the key issues concerning the survival and development of their respective forms of cultural practice. The conference aims to promote cultural diversity and communication between varying generations and ethnicities, in order to establish and address what is truly "relevant to contemporary Australian cultural life. Contact Elizabeth Sykora Tel 08 822 4276 Email nexus@nexus.asn.au.

ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY CONFERENCE
2 - 5 July 2002, Brisbane QLD
The conference will explore the role of social and cultural processes in raising environmental awareness, by bringing together individuals whose scholarly and artistic work addresses the way in which people relate to the natural environment. Convenors are inviting papers on a wide range of topics, approached from a diversity of cultural perspectives, from across the humanities and related areas. Topics suggested include: making contact: how we speak, write, make art and music about our relationships with the non-human world; historical perspectives on culture and ecology; art practice in the environment; inhabiting our environment: concepts of time and space in relation to the environment; identity, community and ecology; tourism and the environment. Contact Ruth Blair, School of English, Media Studies and Art History, The University of Queensland, Tel 07 3365 2590 Email ecc@emsah.uq.edu.au Website href="emsah.uq.edu.au/conferences/ecc/

ASSOC'N FOR THE STUDY OF AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE - CONFERENCE 2002
4 - 7 July 2002, Cairns NT
The Conference seeks to promote awareness of the Australian literature in the wider community and to encourage the study, discussion and creation of Australian writing. Convenors invite submissions for papers on any topic relating to Australian literature. This year there are also two focus areas for presentations and discussion: Christina Stead, in commemoration of the centenary of her birth; and Literature and Culture in the Tropics and the Pacific. Contact Peter Pierce Tel 07 4042 1497 Email Peter.Pierce@jcu.edu.au or Stephen Torre Tel 07 4042 1052 Email Stephen.Torre@jcu.edu.au Website idun.itsc.adfa.edu.au/asal/index.html
________________________________________

Resources

JUST, VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
A framework for progressing and measuring community wellbeing from the Local Government Community Services Association of Australia (LGCSAA). Community wellbeing is grounded in local democracy with clear explanations of democratic governance, active citizenship, social justice and social capital. This 136 page guide spells out best practice goals in arts and cultural development; community safety; economic development; environmental sustainability; housing; leisure and recreation and public and environmental health. $30 including postage and GST. Contact Frank Hornby Tel 07 4727 9688 Email fkh@townsville.qld.gov.au.

POLICY AND PROCEDURE REGISTER FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Muswellbrook Shire Council has produced a set of generic policies and procedures (including associated forms where appropriate) for use by community organisations. The register has been developed in a format which is easy to read, add to, or makes changes to suit your organisations. It is supplied either on CD or floppy disk and formatted on Windows 95. The cost is $55.00 including GST. Contact Sharyn Franks or Kim Manwarring at Muswellbrook Council Tel 02 6549 3700.

MONEY FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
Money for Visual Artists is NAVA's essential guide to awards, prizes, scholarships, residencies and other professional opportunities for Australian visual artists and craftspeople. The 5th edition has approximately 440 listings of events in Australia & some international events available to Australians. Entry descriptions cover contact details, medium, prize amount, closing dates and eligibility guidelines. Further information from the website: www.visualarts.net.au/Web/pa/content02g.asp
________________________________________

About this e-Bulletin

SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE REGIONAL ARTS NSW E-BULLETIN
To subscribe (or to un-subscribe) to this bulletin, go to http://www.regionalartsnsw.com.au and follow the link to the subscriptions form from the front page.

SPREAD THE WORD!
If you know anyone you think would like to receive this bulletin, please send it on.

FEEDBACK + CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME
If you would like to suggest material for inclusion in the RANSW e-Bulletin, please send an email to rachael@regionalartsnsw.com.au

LAST BULLETIN FOR 2001
This is our last bulletin for 2001. This service will be resuming in the last week of January 2002.

REGIONAL ARTS NSW HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
The Regional Arts NSW Office will be closing on Friday 21 December and re-opening on Monday 7 January 2002. We wish all our readers and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
________________________________________

Regional Arts NSW

Regional Arts NSW is the peak body for the arts and community cultural development in regional and rural New South Wales.