Six New England North West Creative Projects Funded for 2018/2019

Six organisations from across the New England North West region have been successful in securing a Country Art Support Program grant (CASP). CASP bolters community spirit throughout the state by encouraging people to create and experience local art projects.

“I congratulate the successful applicants and really look forward to seeing these projects roll out in 2019. The diversity of the successful projects will make a valuable contribution to the arts and cultural landscape in the New England North West” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer.

The successful applications are as follows:

Armidale Aboriginal Community Garden: Matriarchal Image Reclamation Workshop $3,000 - Anaiwan and Gumbaynggirr artist Gabi Briggs will deliver a one-day workshop where Aboriginal matriarchs and family will work together using techniques of re-colouring and collage. They will take ownership of photographic imagery while sharing and reclaiming community histories.

Batiba Guwiyal Inc: Our Culture, Women's Way's $3,000 - Funding will be used to facilitate a series of five workshops for young Aboriginal women from Armidale. They will be mentored by older women while learning new arts and cultural skills like weaving, dancing etc.

Connect Effect: In Tune $3,000 - Commencing with a celebration song about a shared sense of place and things that bring people together, local HipHop artist Nate Weatherall and Sydney-based producer Daniel Neurath will conduct a two-day workshop teaching production and writing skills to young people from the local tribes of Armidale.

Gunnedah Shire Council: Nagami-Li Nugurrugu (To See Tomorrow) $3,000 - Nagami-Li Nugurrugu (To See Tomorrow) is a street art and mural project in Gunnedah’s CBD that will explore contemporary and traditional indigenous arts practices, stories and symbols.

Inverell Art Society Inc.: Sapphire City Festival Public Art Project - $3,000 Young people aged 12-18, invited from local schools, youth groups and diverse communities, will construct sculptures of Black Swans from paper and cane. These swans will be mounted and carried by youths in the 2019 Sapphire City Festival Parade.

New England Writers' Centre: Stories Connect community storytelling and sharing sessions - $2,800 Community storytelling sessions within the New England Writers’ Centre Stories Connect project aim to engage with the newly-resettled Yazidi refugee community and support community relationship building.

CASP is administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Arts NSW.

Mark Making Workshop Moree

FREE Creativity Workshop for Aboriginal Artists
Mon 3 Dec 10am - 3pm (lunch provided)
Moree TAFE Art Room

Mark making is a term used to describe the different lines, patterns, and textures we create in a piece of art. It applies to any art material on any surface, not only paint on canvas or pencil on paper. Join Aboriginal Arts Officer Lorrayne Riggs to explore the creative possibilities of mark making.

RSVP to Lorrayne via 0467 668 977

Artstate is coming our way in 2019!

On Saturday 3rd November, Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Don Harwin MLC announced Tamworth will be the next host city for Artstate, Regional Arts NSW’s celebration of arts across the state. The event will take place from Thursday, October 31st to Sunday, November 3rd 2019.
 
Minister Harwin said, “Tamworth is an authentic Australian heartland beating with rhythm and talent. With its deep roots in music and live performance, it was only a matter of time before it was sighted as the perfect host for Artstate.
 
“As the conference enters its third year, I’m more eager than ever to see the light shine on the local Tamworth community as New South Wales once again offers up an exquisite line-up of regional, national and international speakers to share with us their knowledge and experiences.”
 
Tamworth is a major regional centre in the New England region. The city has a thriving arts scene and is home to the world’s second largest country music festival, the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
 
Tamworth Cr Glenn Inglis said, “Tamworth Regional Council is thrilled to be announced as the hosting region for the 2019 Artstate Conference. We look forward to joining the conversation, showcasing Tamworth’s cultural heritage and enriching our future through the expression of arts and culture.”
 
Regional Arts NSW CEO Elizabeth Rogers said, “Regional Arts NSW is delighted to welcome Tamworth Regional Council as our local government partner and Arts North West as our co-presenter for Artstate 2019.”
 
Artstate is a four-year program presented by Regional Arts NSW which aims to shine a light on excellence in regional arts practice and to explore the exciting possibilities for arts and cultural development across the state. Artstate kicked off in 2017 in Lismore before moving to Bathurst in 2018.
 
Artstate features a conference program with keynote speakers from around Australia and overseas which runs alongside an extensive arts program highlighting artistic talent from around the region.