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.

THE JOYCE SPENCER TEXTILE AWARDS

The Joyce Spencer Textile Awards are to support regional NSW textile artists or collectives to deliver new artworks or exhibitions. Named after the textile artist Joyce Spencer (1928 – 2019), the awards are made possible with funds from the Spencer family and Western Riverina Arts, in partnership with the Cad Factory.

Expressions of Interest open on 30 April.

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

⭐ 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.

Apply now >>>

⭐ 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