Arts North West have been engaged by Arts NSW to conduct community consultation in Armidale to establish the cultural priorities of the Aboriginal community in line with the objectives of the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place and we want to hear from community members and groups who are interested in having their voice heard in the process. “Arts North West is delighted to be working with the Aboriginal community to develop ideas and priorities for what is an iconic cultural institution not only in our region, but in NSW.” said Caroline Downer the Executive Director of Arts North West.
The consultations will be facilitated by Arts North Wests Aboriginal Arts Officer Lorrayne Riggs who is interested in talking to individuals and organisations within the community, and with a connection to the community in order to develop positive strategies and cultural priorities that will be used to provide recommendations to strengthen the centre.
“We really hope that the community can identify the positive outcomes this process can produce for the ACCKP, embrace the process and commit to working holistically in partnership to see how we can develop community driven strategies to strengthen the centre and drive the cultural priorities of the community in Armidale” said Ms Riggs.
To discuss your thoughts and ideas please contact Lorrayne on 0467 668 977 or aao@artsnw.com.au
A New Initiative for Arts North West On Tour
Arts North West ON TOUR’s Pocket Productions is a new initiative by Arts North West to offer the smaller communities in our region affordable and professional theatre and musical productions in venues such as community or school hall, school of art building or an undercover showground area. Pocket Productions is a networked approach and will be based on the successful Arts North West ON TOUR model.
Now in its fifth year, Arts North West ON TOUR is an established network of community, council, and privately managed venues/presenters. Each network member pays an annual service fee for specialised tour management. This service fee includes the negotiation of a minimum of 2 professional performing arts tours per year; itinerary programming; administration; marketing and audience development, and the coordination of regional network meetings. Currently there are 8-10 network members in the New England North West. More information can be found at http://www.artsnw.com.au/anw-on-tour
Projects Officer, Nicci Parry-Jones explains, “We have been getting such good feedback about audience satisfaction from the high quality performing arts touring our regional theatres got us thinking that it would be wonderful if the smaller and sometimes more remote communities had the same opportunity.”
Pocket Productions will inherit aspects of Arts North West ON TOUR and will provide a package that includes: a nominal annual rate, venue sourcing and managing the tour itinerary of one suitable touring production, assistance to each venue to ensure the production is well promoted, liaison between production company and venue staff, advice on presentation, ticketing and promotion.
SUCCESS! Grants for projects in our region
Arts North West has been successful on a number of project grants:
1. CHARGED! The Story of Beersheba: (Anzac Centenary Fund) - A study of the battle through primary sources - objects, maps, diary extracts, letters, and photographs as well as digital content will be assembled in a small travelling suitcase, and will travel with an arts educator to 5 small schools in Tenterfield Shire, Moree Plains Shire, Armidale Regional, Uralla Shire, and Narrabri Shire.
2. Putting the Pieces Together (Accessible Arts NSW) - an arts and disability project in Armidale Regional, Tamworth Regional, Narrabri Shire and Moree Shire.
3. Making Old Marking New (Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund) to support professional and skills development of four artists, observed and supported by a Kamilaroi Elder and an Aboriginal Project Manager, to re-connect with cultural artefacts and re-build cultural identities.
4. NAIDOC Week Celebrations A print media exhibition in local newspapers, a photo book and postcards celebrating the NAIDOC week theme Songlines.
5. Speed Dating for Aboriginal Artists - 9 professional Aboriginal Artists across the region with 3 commercial galleries, 3 regional galleries and 3 funding bodies to connect, network and develop strategic relationships and linkages.
Regional Arts Fund is Open
The New England North West is a dynamic and creative place to live and work. Do you have an exciting project that will further contribute to arts and cultural activity in our community? Arts North West is looking for innovative and great projects that will thrill our community!
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia and meets the strategic priorities of supporting participation in, and access to, the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts. The Regional Arts Fund is designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities.
WHAT'S NEW FOR RAF?
Opening dates and closing dates have been moved forward in the year.
RAF applications will only be accepted through the Regional Arts Australia secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.
Guidelines have been reviewed and simplified.
There is a NEW category Small Regional Festival Support.
The Residencies and Mentorships category is no longer available.
Multi-year funding is only available for two years and projects must be discussed with RANSW staff before applying.
You will need to respond to a number of Australian Government questions for statistical collection that are common to all arts grants applicants administered by the Department of Communications and the Arts.
DO NOT FORGET to read the RAF Guidelines carefully and before you submit discuss your project with Caroline Downer, Executive Director of Arts North West on 0428 042 622. Caroline will be able to explain the new process for RAF.
KEY DATES
Applications open: Monday 20 June.
Applications close: 3:00pm AEST Monday 8 August.
No extension to the closing date is possible.