PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Arts North West provides professional development workshops as well as individual advice to arts workers, creatives, councils, businesses and arts and cultural organisations in our region. We can:
Review funding applications
Suggest funding sources and opportunities
Auspice grants
Provide tips on project management, planning, budgets, partners
Assist with logistics planning – insurance, branding, business plans
Advise on promotion and marketing
Art handling and installation
For more information contact our Executive Director.
Balancing Act: Creativity, Productivity and Sustainability for Independent Musicians
Musicians, we see you. The gigs, the side hustles, the never-ending admin. The feeling that there’s never quite enough time to create the way you want to.
So how do you balance making art, making a living, and not running yourself into the ground? Or rely on adrenaline and caffeine to finish things and make ends meet?
That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in this UNE SRI x Arts NSW Masterclass—a 2-hour deep dive into how to protect your creative time, sustain your energy, and quiet that imposter syndrome that loves to sneak in when you least expect it.
Led by Anousha Victoire—independent singer-songwriter, registered health professional, and master of juggling all the things—this session is for musicians and songwriters who want to stop running on adrenaline and start building a creative practice that lasts.
WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH:
Practical strategies to carve out creative time (without sacrificing your income or sanity)
Tools to handle stress, self-doubt, and burnout before they derail your momentum
Productivity hacks designed for musicians—so you can get more done in less time
A game plan to stay connected to your long-term goals and keep moving forward
A room full of like-minded artists who get the struggle (and might just become your creative crew)
This isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter so you can make the music that matters without losing yourself in the process.
Masterclass tickets are capped to ensure a personalised experience, so grab yours now!
Balancing Act: Creativity, Productivity and Sustainability for Independent Musicians
With Anousha Victoire
Friday 27 June, 1:00-3:00pm
UNE Tamworth
LINK: https://www.unesri.com.au/event-listings/balancing-act-tamworth
Balancing Act: Creativity, Productivity and Sustainability for Independent Musicians
With Anousha Victoire
Saturday 28 June, 11:00-1:00pm
UNE NOVA Building, Armidale
LINK: https://www.unesri.com.au/event-listings/balancing-act-tamworth-fel65
This event is brought to you by Arts North West in partnership with the UNE SRI Masterclass Series, which is proudly funded by the NSW Government's Boosting Business Innovation Program.
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious poetry competition for students. The competition aims to inspire young Australians to express their thoughts, experiences, and creativity through poetry. Each year, thousands of students from across the country participate, showcasing a high standard of literary excellence.
The competition provides a unique opportunity for students to reflect on current events, personal experiences, and the world around them. Entries from both primary and secondary students consistently impress the judges, highlighting the depth and diversity of young Australian voices.
Key Dates
Entries Open: 1 March
Entries Close: 30 June
Winners Announced: First Friday in September
2025 Optional Theme: "All the Beautiful Things"
Students are invited to write about topics and experiences that inspire them. While the theme is optional, it provides a creative prompt for those looking for direction in their writing.
Entry Conditions
Open to all students enrolled in an Australian education facility (Kindergarten to Year 12).
Poems must be 80 lines or fewer, with no illustrations, graphics, or decorations.
Each student may submit up to three poems.
Poems on any subject are accepted; participation in the annual theme is optional.
Poems that have been previously entered in the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are not eligible for resubmission.
Poems entered in other competitions may still be submitted.
For more details on the competition and how to enter, click here.
⭐ Free Mentoring Sessions for Aboriginal Artists and Arts Workers
Elevate Your Creative Practice with Expert Guidance
Are you an Aboriginal Artist or Arts Worker from Regional NSW looking to elevate your practice? Thanks to the support of Create NSW, Outback Arts and Mara Mara we are excited to offer 20 FREE mentoring sessions with Lorrayne Fishenden, valued at $140 each. This unique opportunity is part of the Dhurrali Project, dedicated to empowering and supporting Aboriginal creatives.
About the Mentoring Sessions
These sessions are designed to provide personalised guidance, deep insights into the arts landscape, and strategic advice to help you grow and succeed in your creative endeavors. Each participant can benefit from up to three sessions, ensuring a tailored and impactful experience.
Meet Your Mentor: Lorrayne Fishenden
Lorrayne Fishenden is a well known leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in community development, Aboriginal arts advocacy, and business management. Lorrayne has been a pivotal advocate for Aboriginal artists and communities across regional NSW. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to cultural development make her an inspiring mentor for this program.
What's Included
Each free mentoring session includes:
Personalised guidance and support from Lorrayne Fishenden
Insights into the Aboriginal arts landscape
Strategies for growth and recognition in your field
Expert advice on sustainable business practices
How to Book
Use this link https://LorrayneFishenden2Rivers.as.me/?appointmentType=65864844 to schedule a time. Don’t forget to fill in the quick questionnaire that will help Lorrayne prepare for your meeting. Remember, spots are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to take your art to new heights!
Important Information
Each session is valued at $140
Up to 3 sessions per participant
Limited to 20 sessions total
Join us in this exciting initiative to celebrate Aboriginal voices, cultivate creativity, and build a vibrant community of artists committed to sharing their stories with the world.
Apply now and embark on a transformative creative journey!
⭐ Business Connect – Free business support for Creative Industries
Did you know Service NSW Business Connect offers free, independent, tailored business advice for NSW businesses (including sole traders with an ABN)? Business Connect advisors, including specialist creative experts can provide you up to 8 hours of free, tailored business advice in one-on-one sessions more.
Current Creative opportunities
⭐ AIM Talent Awards
The AIM Talent Awards is an annual talent contest organized by the AIM Association, designed to celebrate and promote multicultural talent from around Australia. This dynamic event seeks to uncover and showcase the diverse skills and creativity of performers from various cultural backgrounds, offering them a platform to gain exposure and public opportunities.
The contest is open to individuals and groups of all ages, presenting a wide array of talents including singing, dancing, instrumental performances, comedy, and other unique acts that highlight cultural heritage. Participants go through several rounds of auditions, with the most exceptional talents advancing to the final stages of the competition.
Throughout the contest, a panel of esteemed judges, composed of industry professionals and cultural icons, evaluates the performances based on criteria such as originality, skill, and cultural representation. The audience also plays a crucial role, with opportunities to vote for their favourite acts, adding to the excitement and engagement of the event.
Winners of the AIM Talent Awards receive not only prestigious trophies and recognition but also significant opportunities to perform at high-profile events, collaborate with renowned artists, and gain media coverage. The contest aims to empower multicultural talents, fostering a sense of pride and unity through the celebration of diverse cultural expressions.
APPLY NOW >>>
⭐ Copyright agency fellowships
The Copyright Agency offers Fellowships for Australian writers to create significant new works.
Year-long Fellowships are intrinsically important to Australian creative writers as it buys them time to create new work.
Two $80,000 Fellowships are available for Australian writers who have achieved some success and critical acclaim with their writing and who have a publisher interested in publishing the intended work.
Author Fellowship
The Copyright Agency’s Author Fellowship will support an established Australian author to create a new work for publication.
One Fellowship will be awarded each year.
Amount of grant: $80,000
Closes: 1pm AEST 18 August 2025
Fellowship for Non-Fiction writing
The Copyright Agency’s Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing will support a mid-career or established Australian author to create a new work of creative non-fiction for publication.
One Fellowship will be awarded each year.
Amount of grant: $80,000
Closes: 1pm AEST 18 August 2025
FRANK MOORHOUSE FELLOWSHIP FOR YOUNG WRITERS
The Copyright Agency Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers will support a writer aged 18-35 years to develop and write a new work of fiction.
One Fellowship will be awarded each year.
Amount of grant: $10,000
Closes: 1pm AEST 23 June 2025
READING AUSTRALIA FELLOWSHIP
The Copyright Agency’s Reading Australia Fellowship for Teachers of English and Literacy will support an experienced teacher or teacher librarian to undertake professional skills development and career-enhancing opportunities.
One Fellowship will be awarded each year.
Amount of grant: $15,000
Closes: 1pm AEST Mon 5 May 2025
⭐ 2025 Sculpture Acquisition Prize - Ceramic break sculpture park
An acquisition prize of $12,000.00
The winning sculpture will form part of the permanent display at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park. The Park offers guests an art experience with a difference in rural NSW. The goal of the contest is to diversify the park’s collection.
⭐ Screen NSW - Charlie’s Working Space, LA!
Screen NSW, in partnership with Australians in Film (AiF), offers NSW screen practitioners the opportunity to secure access to a dedicated co-working space at Charlie's in Los Angeles. The one free creative workspace is available for NSW based screen practitioners visiting LA to conduct business, collaborate, and network.
Successful applicants to Charlie’s will receive access to:
One desk and a writers' room with whiteboards and screens
Wi-Fi
An equipped kitchen
AiF staff.
Charlie’s is located in the Writer’s Building at The Lot Studios in West Hollywood.
⭐ Screen Australia – Industry Partnerships
This program aims to create opportunities through new, original and inclusive approaches to the industry that will expand networks and grow the Australian industry. Screen Australia will consider funding a portion of a total activity budget up to a cap of $30,000 per activity/activities conducted by an organization over the financial year.
⭐ Screen Australia – International Marketing Support: Festivals and Awards
This program aims to support the promotion of Australian content and talent at the key international festivals and awards events, enabling the enhancement of international marketing strategies in conjunction with other partners. Screen Australia will contribute to the promotional budget for eligible events generally up to $20,000 for feature films and television series and $10,000 for short films. The level of funding will be determined by a film’s individual international marketing strategy as evidenced by a comprehensive plan and budget, produced by either the sales agent or producer. Festival screenings must be the title’s world or international premiere.
⭐ Screen Australia – Distribution Support: P&A Plus
This program aims to enhance the distribution and marketing of quality Australian films across traditional and alternative release platforms. Funding can be sought to support the traditional theatrical ANZ release of completed feature films that have an established local distributor attached, or for alternative release campaigns in certain circumstances
⭐ Screen Australia – First Nations Program: Sector Development (Internships)
This program aims to assist the career development of talented screen content makers who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the film industry. Internships assist practitioners whose careers would benefit from an attachment to a person, production or organisation. This program is designed to assist the career development of talented filmmakers who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the film industry. This is not an entry-level scheme. An internship may take many forms and involve features, documentaries, animation, interactive digital media, TV drama or comedy series
Current ARTS Employment & Voluteering Opportunities
POSITIONS VACANT:
⭐ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Recruitment
The New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) is seeking an inspiring, visionary leader to guide our organisation into its next exciting chapter as Chief Executive Officer.
With over two decades of transformative impact on music education and cultural life in the New England region, NECOM is recognised as one of NSW’s leading regional conservatoriums. We deliver over 29,000 hours of music education annually, engage more than 7,000 students, and present a diverse range of concerts and community programs that enrich thousands of audience members across the region.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected and vibrant institution that plays a pivotal role in shaping the artistic landscape of regional NSW.
About the Role
The CEO will provide strategic, artistic, and operational leadership to NECOM. The successful candidate will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, educators, students, community partners, and funding bodies to deliver NECOM’s mission: to provide outstanding music education and performance opportunities to children, young people, and adults across New England.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading and managing a dynamic team of administrators and professional teaching staff
Driving innovation in music education and performance programs
Building strong relationships with schools, government, arts organisations, and the broader community
Ensuring excellence in governance, financial management, and stakeholder engagement
This full-time position is based in Armidale, a thriving regional city renowned for its cultural vitality, stunning natural surroundings, and strong community spirit.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, collaborative leader with a proven track record in music or arts administration. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
Strategic thinking and effective organisational leadership
Strong financial and human resource management skills
Passion for quality music education and community engagement
Excellent communication and advocacy capabilities
To view the full position description and application details, download the document below:
📄 Download the CEO Job Description 2025 (PDF)
Applications Close: Monday 23 June, 2025 at 4:00 PM
For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact:
Greg Moin, Chair: gmoin@moin.com.au
Matthew Hobbs: matthew.hobbs@det.nsw.edu.au
⭐ Head of Keyboard - New England Conservatorium of Music
Lead the Keyboard Dept at NECOM through teaching, performance, mentorship, and program development in vibrant regional Armidale.
Read the Position Description here >>>
Volunteering:
Do you have some spare time during the week or weekend? Want to give back to your community and make new friends? Why not volunteer with your local arts or cultural centre? Galleries and community groups all need volunteers to keep things moving! Reach out to ANW to see if we can help get you in contact with a local gallery or arts centre. Contact Arts North West today!