SMALL GRANTS EXTENDED TO THIRD ROUND

A range of independent creatives of the New England North West are set to benefit with the announcement of the opening of Arts North West’s third round of Quick Response Micro Grants.

Carrying on from the success of the first two rounds in 2020, Arts North West has made provisions in their 2021 programming budget to continue this direct financial support to creatives in the New England North West, as the region continues to be faced with a myriad of hardships which now includes a mouse plague and the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

These provisions allow for multiple small grants of up to $1000 for creative practitioners, community groups and arts organisations working in all art forms and are designed to support the continuation of locally determined community arts and cultural practice. This funding aims to be as flexible as possible and projects do not require a specific outcome but can focus on skills development or capacity-building.

“More often than not, grant applications come with a lot of complexities and processes. The beauty of our Micro Grants is that we are able to assist creatives from our region in a myriad of ways including the purchasing of equipment, professional development, creative workshops, through an incredibly simple and quick application process via the Arts North West website.” Said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer.

“It’s wonderful to be able to extend this opportunity into 2021 and Arts North West recognises the recent hardships faced by the New England North West including drought, bushfire, mouse plague and COVID-19 and their effects on your arts practice or arts business. Applications outlining a direct impact from these recent hardships will take priority when assessed.” She continued.

There is a very quick turnaround for applying these micro grants, with applications opening on Friday 13 August and closing on 6 September 2021. Successful applicants will be notified on 18 September 2021. Previous unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply.

To apply to the Arts North West Micro Grants Round, click here.

Creative workshops in the pipeline

A duo of workshops – one online and one face-to-face in November – will round out Arts North West’s 2021 offering of professional development opportunities for creatives in the New England North West region.

The first is a free session on how to set up and maintain an effective online shop. Facilitated by Michael Burge, a creative business operator and social media mentor, this two-hour Zoom workshop will assist arts businesses and practitioners get up-to-speed with creating a simple sales space on a website and/or social media accounts.

Practical session will include: generating effective sales copy for your listings; creating better images of your products; how to direct online customers to ‘queue’; payment and despatch, and how to create a set of terms and conditions that function within consumer regulations.

Taking place on Wednesday August 18 from 10am to 12pm, participants must register online via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workshop-managing-a-simple-online-shop-tickets-164063340869.

Get You Act Together

On November 9, Arts North West will be hosted by Andrew O’Connell, Creative Arts Coordinator/Theatre Manager of TAS Hoskins Centre, Armidale, at a 1-day professional development workshop for the performing arts community of the New England North West.

Tailored for volunteers, venue staff and performing arts practitioners wanting to upskill, this one-day workshop is aimed at getting up-to-speed on negotiating contracts that work; the ten top tips about getting people to shows; the basics of safe light and sound rigging and working with technical staff, and how to operate a sound/light desk for a piece of performing arts.

Trainers include Michael Cornford, Centre Operations Manager, TAS Hoskins Centre; Caroline Downer, Executive Director, Arts North West, and Michael Burge, Touring Coordinator, Arts North West.

Lunch will be fully catered and included in the ticket prices. For bookings and more details please go to: https://events.humanitix.com/get-your-act-together.

This workshop will run if COVID-safe conditions permit.

Creating space to heal

Rural women in the New England are invited to spend a day flexing their creative muscles, and sharing time with others to talk and share feelings in these tough times.

Arts North West is bringing four free CreativiTEA workshops to women in and around the towns of Tingha, Torrington, Drake and Ashford from 23-26 August. The workshops will provide women a day of introductory printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, and time spent with familiar faces from the HNEH Rural Adversity Mental Health program and HealthWISE.

“This is about being in a room where anything is possible, with other people who have come along to enjoy the day and a side of themselves that they may not get to experience too often,” Lizzie said.

“When people are engaged in art-making, they’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a fantastic respite from everyday worries. Everyone has something creative inside them. It doesn’t matter what it looks like - the thrill that people experience when they see what they can create is always electric.”

ANW project officer Michèle Jedlicka was looking forward to an event with so many terrific women on board, giving participants a day of holistic support.

“Lizzie is so dynamic, and a kind teacher. We’re happy to have her talent complement the empathetic and experienced women in health,” she said.

The days will be repeated over four seasons, from August through 2022, giving continuity and something build upon for participants. For workshop and booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2021.

The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

Outback Archies Art Prize, entries now open!

The Outback Archies Art Prize is a long-standing project delivered by Outback Arts, now in its eleventh year! The Outback Archies grows in anticipation with each year, shining a light on the diverse and talented creatives in the region, exploring the theme ‘Legends and Landscapes’.

Growing on its eleven-year history, Outback Arts have teamed up with several key partners which will once again extend the reach of this project. Entries will be accepted not only from the Outback Arts region of Bourke, Brewarrina, Bogan, Cobar, Coonamble, Warren and Walgett Shires but also, Gilgandra, Narrabri, Moree, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Gwydir, Tamworth, Broken Hill, Wentworth Shire, Central Darling Shire and the Western Unincorporated Area – that’s seventeen Local Government Areas in total!

The 2021 Art Prize will also cater for our creative youth in Regional New South Wales with the Young Archies, featured in two categories, Primary School and High School. Youth entries may explore any medium of their choosing.

The usual prizes remain, including the major Outback Archies Prize, People’s Choice, Aboriginal Art Award plus first and second prizes for each category of Ceramics, Sculpture, Two Dimensional and Photography.

Communications and Touring Coordinator for Outback Arts, Maddi Ward says “The Outback Archies is looked forward to by artists and the broader community each year. Great interest has already been shown by artists preparing to enter and those planning a trip to view the exhibition. It has locals at the core but promotes regional artists far and wide.”

The Outback Archies showcases the talented creatives within regional NSW and brings them together to inspire one another as well as providing emerging artists with a platform to boost their profile. Outback Arts strive to support artists by providing opportunities to exhibit and showcase their work locally as well as in metro galleries by securing exhibition opportunities.

Entries for pre-selection open 19th July 2021 and close 20 August 2021 with the exhibition scheduled for 20 September - 29 October 2021.

Visit the Outback Arts website for more information.