Arts North West December Edit. 2 LOOKING BACK AT 2023 AND FORWARD TO 2024!

WELCOME TO THE LAST ARTS NORTH WEST NEWSFLASH FOR 2023!

Published 20/12/2023

THAT’S A WRAP ON 2023!

2023 has been huge year for Arts North West. We conclude 2023 as a year marked by achievements, new learnings and progress delivering just short of 100 events, creative and professional development opportunities throughout the New England North West with audience of over 47,000 people. It is with heartfelt gratitude we thank all of our artists, creatives, contributors, facilitators, participants, audiences and councils for this year’s contributions and collaboration to strengthen the creative and cultural ecology of the New England North West. We would also like to extend our thanks to our dedicated Board and committees, as well as all of our funding bodies.

As a region we are an extraordinary team. Each of you has played a crucial role in our journey, and it is your dedication and commitment to the arts that has propelled us to new heights. We are very proud of the program we have delivered and we can’t wait to get back in the saddle for 2024.

The upcoming year presents a landscape rich with potential and exciting times ahead. We are excited to start a new year with you, but we are looking forward to a well-earned break. Happy holidays and see you in 2024!

Lauren Mackley
Executive Director of Arts North West

HERE, NOW & ALWAYS CHRISTMAS MARKET

2 Rivers Pty Ltd, in collaboration with the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance NSW, are hosting their final exhibition of the year!

Unique First Nations products will be on show at the 2 Rivers Gallery in Tamworth and can also be purchased online via the Here Now & Always Art Market website.

Christmas is just around the corner and now is your chance to shop for gifts while supporting our local First Nations artists!

🎄Browse the Here, Now & Alway Christmas Market here 🎄

OPPORTUNITY: POP UP ART GALLERY IN NARRABRI
115 Maitland Street Narrabri

Discover creativity on Narrabri's main street! Until 22 December, explore the works of local artists Deb Michell-Smith at the Pop-Up Art Gallery.

Moving forward, Deb is seeking expressions of interest from other local creatives who might like to continue the pop-up gallery venture. The shop/gallery space has a spacious area in the back for hosting workshops or as an artists workspace. The main gallery section has been painted white, a hanging system has been installed and air conditioner has been replaced.

If you are interested in renting the space in 2024 as a gallery or workspace, please contact Deb on 0429 926 290 for further details.

NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy: Creative Communities

On December 13, the NSW Government released the Creative Communities. The policy recognises the crucial place the arts, culture and creative industries inhabit in NSW.

It is an inclusive 10-year policy designed to support artists, creative and cultural organisations and includes creative industries for the first time. The policy also supports sustainably growing the creative industries and advocates for the value of culture, creativity and community.

Creative Communities is grounded in five guiding principles:

Prioritise First Nations culture
Embrace the arts, culture and creative industries
Advocate for the value of culture
Support sustainable growth
Take our creativity to the world and bring the world to our stories

The Creative Communities policy is built on the core objectives of people, infrastructure and Audiences, and how arts, culture and creative industries in our communities provides a chance for all elements to thrive.

Read the full policy here

🎅✨🎄 HOLIDAY BREAK 🎄✨🎅

Arts North West will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from Wednesday, December 20, 2023 until Friday 19 January, 2024.

During this time our office in Glen Innes will be closed and phones will be diverted to our voicemail. Any emails received during our closure will be followed up on when our staff return from a much-deserved break.

The Arts North West team wishes our wonderful artists, collaborators, facilitators, contractors, venues, and councils all the best during the holiday season and into 2024!

We may be closed but our website isn’t! There are so many great resources and past projects to browse through! It is a fantastic time to check out our extensive list of grant opportunities for 2024!

Visit the Arts North West website here!

Thumbnail for End of Year video for 2023

LOOKING BACK AT 2023
🎥👏⏰🎨🎭🧑‍🎨✨🎄

As we near the end of the year, the Arts North West team is excited to share a recap of this year's highlights in our end-of-year video! Enjoy a slideshow of memorable moments from our workshops and events from across the New England North West region and beyond!

We can’t wait for what 2024 has in store!

POP UP STALL FOR CREATIVES
AT THE TCMF 2024

Arts North West is looking forward to taking part in the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The Arts North West Pop Up Stall for Creatives is a FREE space for artists to sell creative products and wares, perform, and do live demonstrations to the passing crowd of the TCMF!

Over the 10 days of the festival, we will be hosting a full line up of artists, musicians, and makers from across the region and beyond! We are excited to invite our wonderful friends from Outback Arts and Music NSW to join us at the festival too!

Find us on Peel Street between the Tudor Hotel and the Westpac Bank, near the Bus Ticketing Station from 10 am until 4 pm each day of the festival.

We will be announcing the full line up of artists on the
Arts North West Facebook page and website in January!

MUSIC NSW: TAMWORTH, LETS TALK TOURING

Calling all local talents and festival wanderers! Whether you call Tamworth home or you're passing through for the Country Music Festival, this is your invitation to join a gathering of like-minded artists and music industry folks.

Attend to uncover invaluable tips for touring shared by artists who have paved their own way to success then stick around to rub shoulders with industry movers and shakers and forge connections and collaborations for the year to come.

Presented by MusicNSW with support from Create NSW, APRA AMCOS and Arts North West, this panel and networking opportunity is not to be missed for artists and industry alike.

Date: 25 January 2024
Time: 1 pm - 3.30 pm
Location: Campbell Howard Room, Peel House
University of New England, Tamworth Centre, 24 Fitzroy St. Tamworth NSW 2340

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT OUR WEBSITE

ARTS NORTH WEST TOURING EXHIBITIONS
OPENING IN 2024!

Arts North West is thrilled to announce our upcoming exhibitions 'Letters To My Returning' and 'Reflections' at the Bank Art Museum Moree in February 2024.

‘To My Returning' is a collection of creative recovery responses addressing the 2021/2022 flood events through the power of letter writing. Arts North West engaged artists across the New England North West to produce a body of work reflecting the letters addressed directly to the flood waters. These letters contributed letters and resulting artworks will be included as part of the exhibition.

The Reflections project focused on fostering professional networking through a mentor-mentee process and involved documenting arts workshops across the New England North West. The resulting digital stories have been curated into an exhibition, capturing the traditional and contemporary methods of papermaking and the journey of its use as a medium, while exploring our regional identity.

Arts North West is pleased to invite you to the opening night of our upcoming exhibitions To My Returning and Reflections.

We look forward to seeing you Friday 2nd February for the opening night!

Where: Bank Art Museum Moree, 25 Frome Street Moree.
When: Friday 2nd February, 6pm - 9pm
Cost: Free Entry
Cash bar available & light nibbles provided.

Please RSVP by Friday 26th to confirm catering.

OPENING NIGHT AND EXHIBITION INFORMATION
CAN BE FOUND AT OUR WEBSITE!

UNDERSTANDING OUR AUDIENCES:
EVENT EVALUATION AND DATA COLLECTION

Arts North West is pleased to introduce our new pilot program ‘Understanding Our Audiences: Event Evaluation and Data Collection’ in 2024. During a three-month trial period, Arts North West will be offering to collect and collate valuable data from events across the New England North West region. The data collection process includes engaging with attendees via customised surveys designed to capture relevant data from your event including the number of attendees and demographic insights. This information can be utilised by organisers for future events to highlight successes and areas for improvement and to inform decision-making.

Complete the Understanding Our Audiences EOI form to register and event!

ARTS NORTH WEST'S FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SESSIONS

Arts North West is working on our 2024 - 2028 Aboriginal Arts Strategic Plan and we want to hear from you. We want your help to inform how we curate our Aboriginal Arts and Cultural programming and projects for the next four years!

We will be working with our Aboriginal Arts Steering Committee to bring our consultation to your community. Beginning in 2024, we will be announcing more opportunities to participate as well as additional dates and locations.

Come and meet with us to contribute to the Arts North West Aboriginal Arts Strategic Plan!

Save the dates - the next consultations will take place at:

✨ 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Monday 19 February 2024, at Indigico Creative Studio, 68 Brisbane Street, Tamworth

✨11.00am to 1.00pm Friday 23 February, 2024, at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre Moree, 38 Albert Street Moree

More dates will be announced via the Arts North West website and via our Facebook page.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Lights On, Doors Open’ – Stipend Program Supporting Volunteer-led Museums in NSW
The program has been established to relieve the pressures faced by volunteer-led museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces in NSW and aims to support eligible organisations, reduce the burden of constant fundraising, and allow them to focus on collections, maintenance, and best practices. Grants of $2,000 are available for eligible applicants. Up to 113 organisations will benefit from this initiative. Note: Funding will be allocated based on the order of eligible applications received until funds are exhausted.

Professional and Creative Development Opportunities

CURRENT GRANT FUNDING

31 December - Regional Investment Activation Fund - Stream 2
The $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund will co-invest with eligible entities on projects that will deliver significant economic, social and/or environmental benefits for a priority industry or location.

⭐ 2024 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW BEING RELEASED, WITH SOME APPLICATIONS CLOSING FROM MID-JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
CHECK OUT OUR GRANTS PAGE TODAY! ⭐

GRANTS IN 2024:

15 January 2024 - 20 May 2024 - Create NSW Small Projects Grants (quick response) - Individuals and Groups 2023/24
Small Project Grants (Quick Response) supports professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers (including museum workers) that are time-sensitive and respond to short-notice invitations with career-building significance.

Venues Unlocked - Soundproofing Grants for Live Music Venues
Funding to support existing and new NSW live music venues to achieve best practice sound management and infrastructure. Eligible music venues can apply for grants up to $100,000 for sound mitigation measures.
Applications opened: 13 November 2023
Applications closes: 19 January 2024, 12:00 pm

24 January - First Nations Heritage Grants Round 1
The First Nations Heritage Grants Program aims to assist in adding Indigenous values to Australia’s World and National Heritage listed places. The program also seeks to aid the identification of culturally significant First Nations places. Grants between $25,000 and $250,000.

February 2024 - Live Performance Venue Grant Program
Eligible hospitality venues can access grant funding up to $80,000 to purchase essential equipment to help start programming and promote live performance.
Applications will open February 2024.

6 February 2024 - The Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarships
The Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarships offer talented young artists (aged 21-35 at the closing date) the chance to explore, study and develop their artistic gifts through travelling either interstate and/or overseas. In 2024, the scholarships will provide financial support for the disciplines of acting, instrumental music, painting and poetry to help talented Australian artists achieve their dreams.

6 February - Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship
Travelling scholarship to support the professional development of a man or male under 30 with outstanding ability and promise in opera.

6 February - The Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet Scholarship
Travelling scholarship to support the professional development of a young person under 30 with outstanding ability and promise in ballet.

6 February 2024 - International Touring and Presentation Fund
$5,000 to $50,000 to support international touring, showcasing and presentation opportunities. This fund supports international touring, showcasing and presentation opportunities for Australian artists and creative workers. Tours, showcases and presentations can take place in-person, online, or in a combination of in-person and online (hybrid). Individuals, groups and organisations (including small businesses) may apply to this category. International organisations that are presenting Australian artists or creative workers are also eligible to apply. Applicants can propose a single event, presentation or showcase or a program of activity in multiple locations. The activities you are applying for through this fund must be fully confirmed.

26 February - Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program
This program provides funding to Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.

26 February 2024 - Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).

26 February - Arts and Cultural Funding Program - Regional Arts Touring
These grants support projects that provide access to arts and culture for audiences living in regional NSW. Funding is available for tours of all artforms, including performing arts, music, visual arts, literature, history, museums and multi-arts.
Application opened: 15 November 2023
Application closes: 26 February 2024, 5:00 pm

If you require assistance in applying or reviewing your grant submissions, please reach out to our Executive Director, Lauren Mackley at rado@artsnw.com.au or 0493 316 463.

Funding Opportunities

Residue + Response: 5th Tamworth Textile Triennial

Sat Sep 9th - Sat Feb 10th 2024
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel St, Tamworth

Residue + Response: Tamworth Textile Triennial builds on the tradition of the Tamworth Fibre Textile collection which first began in 1973, showcasing 50 years of contemporary textile artists. As we unfold from the recent global events, we reflect on our connection with others, our shared history and possible futures. The 2023 Textile Triennial is a celebration of 50 years of the National Textile Collection promoting and sustaining the unique cultural heritage associated with both the history and technology of textile practice.

NERAM Exhibition: Inspiration and Iterations
New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale

Fri Sep 29th - Sun Feb 4th 2024

Culminating NERAM’s 40th anniversary year is an exhibition celebrating the collections and many of the wonderful artists NERAM has worked with over the years. Inspiration and Iterations features 40 works selected from NERAM’s collections, along with 40 original contemporary responses by invited artists. The exhibition not only highlights much-loved works in the collection but outstanding work by established, emerging, and student artists that have an ongoing connection to NERAM and its impact and legacy.

2023 Summer Show

Fri Dec 1st 10:00am - Sun Jan 14th 2024 4:00pm
Armidale Art Gallery, 149 Beardy St, Armidale

The annual Summer Show is an exhibition of 120 current works by over 40 artists and runs through December and into mid January.

With $3,000 in Prize money this event is always a delight to the senses as it showcases the best of local and regional artists. Take this opportunity to view and or purchase some beautiful art form this gallery in the heart of Armidale. In the diversity there is always something that will appeal to your taste.

Come along and enjoy the moment where we celebrate the creatives of our region.

The Gallery by GFA - Celebrate 23/24

Fri Dec 1st 10:00am - Thu Jan 25th 2024 5:00pm
Get Framed Armidale and The Gallery, shop 45/195-197 Beardy Street, Armidale

The Gallery by Get Framed Armidale invites local emerging artists Andrea Gledhill, Archie Denning, Sandra Gully & Kim Bizo back to exhibition for their final encore for 23.
Artworks from the salon style show will be available to take home straight after purchasing from Friday 1 Dec and will run until 25 Jan 24.

Wild Kimono Craft Matsuri

Sat Dec 2nd - Sun 31st
The Old Bank, 35 Bridge St Uralla

A full month of happening is about to take flight at Wild Kimono in Uralla, as a group of local artist /crafter friends take over the old bank for a summer Matsuri (festival)!

Beginning with opening drinks on December 1st and running through to New Year, hand-made useables, wearables, hangables and edibles will tempt the gift-giver with no need to stress about product miles or provenance! There will also be herbs & plants and music in the street, with some great Uralla coffee & cake just a few steps away. So make a day of it and chat with the makers in the quirky and creative village of Uralla!

Julia Griffin & Gemma King: Land and Sky

Sat Dec 9th 10:00am - Sun Feb 4th 2024 4:00pm
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth

Julia Griffin and Gemma King are Walcha artists and mother and daughter. They are both printmakers and drawn to the sublime beauty of ink on paper.

Gemma King experiments with multiple layering of colour to make unique reduction and jigsaw linocut prints of the transient nature of the landscape and big skies of Walcha.

Julia Griffin is also a studio painter but more recently has taken to plein air works on paper using oil pastels, remembering the immediacy of the first response when time is limited, and the light is volatile.

Silver-working workshop with Richard Moon

Fri Dec 29th 10:00am - 4:00pm & Sat Jan 13th 2024 10:00am - 4:00pm
The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes

Bring an idea, a design and/or a precious stone and make your unique piece of sterling-silver jewellery under skilled supervision in Glen Innes. Richard Moon (resident silverworker at The Makers Shed) offers studio-workshop options for a strict maximum of six people, where you get to decide what you'll create! NOTE: All participants must be aged 15+.

Get across the entire silver-working process with Richard as your guide, from cutting, soldering, heating, cold-connecting, fold-forming, bezel-setting and polishing. The cost includes enough sterling silver for one ring, pendant, brooch or pair of earrings; and a limited selection of raw materials and stones: vintage linoleum, copper, leather, moonstones, freshwater pearls, etc. Design and make something special!

Theatre and Open Mic night

Fri Jan 5th 2024 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Chapel Theatre, cnr Bourke & Church St, Glen Innes

This Friday and every first Friday of the month, there is a combined Theatre night and Open Mic event. The Theatre event starts at 5:00 pm, where you can participate in impromptu theatre sports and light script reading. After that, you can stick around for the Open Mic event, which starts at 6:30 pm and goes on till late. It’s a great opportunity to meet fellow creatives and have some fun! So why not come along and join in the fun? I’m sure you won’t regret it!

Open Mic: Share Your Song

Sun Jan 21st 2024 11:00am - 3:00pm
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth

Everyone's a Star in Tamworth!
Get in the country spirit and perform your favourite song at Tamworth Regional Gallery during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. A fantastic opportunity for everyone of all ages to enjoy some time in the spotlight, whilst getting into the country spirit this January!

Kids Performances: 11am - 12pm

Open Mic for the General Public: 1-3pm

Genre: Country and Various

Duration: Kids event will take place for 60 minutes, whilst the general Open Mic will run for 120 minutes

Price: Free

Please contact the gallery for more information.
P: 67 67 5230
E: gallery@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Life Drawing Glen Innes

Sun Jan 21st 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Highlands Hub, 167 Grey Street, Glen Innes

Life drawing sessions once a month, with Live models. Continuing on Sunday 21st January 2024 1pm - 4pm

Fees are $30 per person. Afternoon tea is included.

Artists are required to bring their own Easel, drawing board, paper, pencils, charcoals, pastels and watercolour paints as necessary (No oil paints). Please also bring your own drop sheet for quick and easy clean up at the end of the session.

Sessions are untutored although assistance is available on request.

Improve your drawing skills. Suitable for beginners and experienced artists alike. Artists must be 18 years or over.

There is a post pinned to the top of the Facebook page Life drawing Glen Innes showing the terms you agree to. Please acquaint yourself with it so you know what to expect on the day.
To sign up for this event please message Chris McIntosh or Storm Black

Weaving with Waabii

Sat Jan 27th 2024 10:00am - 2:00pm
The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes

Learn traditional basket weaving techniques with Ngarrabul Elder, Waabii Chapman-Burgess. Weaving is a way of life central to First Nations culture, and this beautiful craft has been passed down from generation to generation.

In this fun workshop, you will learn to create your own unique piece of woven art using natural hand-dyed raffia. No previous experience is necessary. Each student will also leave with their own weaving starter kit to continue their making at home. For participants aged 15+.
BOOKINGS HERE

Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024
19 – 28 January 2024
Various Venues, Tamworth

Check out the TCMF website for times and locations of the thousands of events taking place over the 10 festival!

Printmaking Masterclass with Gemma King

Sat Feb 3rd 2024 10:00am - 4:00pm
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth

Printmaking Masterclass

Join Gemma King as she leads participants in a reduction lino print masterclass.

Reduction linocut is a method of block printing in which each colour layer is carved into the same lino block. Part of the design is carved into the block and printed. The process is then repeated for each layer of colour. The design is often printed working from the lightest first to darkest colours last.

Enjoy a day of printmaking and creation with this leading regional artist and take home your own print.

Includes light refreshments.
When: Saturday 3 February, 10-4pm
Where: Esther Halliday Studio, Tamworth Regional Gallery
Cost: $150
Age: 12 yrs and older

Add your event to our ANW Arts and Cultural Events calendar

Hosting an event or workshop? Arts North West wants to know!

Arts North West hosts an online calendar for advertising events, workshops, and exhibitions in the New England North West. Additions to this calendar are shared in our ANW Newsflash and social media platforms.

Click here to view the
Arts North West Arts and Cultural Events calendar.