Speed Dating for Aboriginal Artists

Speed Dating for Aboriginal Artists was coordinated by Arts North West’s Aboriginal Arts Officer with 9 highly motivated Aboriginal Artists of professional standard who came together with 3 commercial galleries, 3 regional galleries and 3 funding bodies to connect, network and develop strategic relationships and linkages.

Aboriginal Artists
Rod McIntosh
Jodie Herden
Tess Reading
Chris Roberts (Mehi Gallery)
Elizabeth Munro (Mehi Gallery)
Cindy Duncan (Mehi Gallery)
David Craigie (Mehi Gallery)
Loretta Weatherall (Gomeroi Gaaynggal)
Aunty Pearl Slater (Gomeroi Gaaynggal)
Megan Naden (Gomeroi Gaaynggal)
Dannielle Thomas (Gomeroi Gaaynggal)
Aunty Rona Slater (Gomeroi Gaaynggal)

Aboriginal Artist Collectives
Gomeroi Gaaynggal
Mehi Gallery

Regional Galleries
Tamworth Regional Gallery

Commercial Galleries
Weswal Gallery

Funding Bodies
Australia Council
Arts NSW

Museums & Galleries
Arts North West

"Career-changing services were on show at the Tamworth Showground today, at a ‘speed dating’ event for Aboriginal artists.

Collaborators, funding bodies, galleries and support services were able to hear from individual creators who were showcasing their work.

Talking to them about their goals, aspirations and struggles as indigenous artists breaking into the creative industry.

“There are lots of barriers for regionally artists. One is money. Arts have taken a hit over the last couple of years financially and that’s been felt by artists… Being able to run projects, like this, enable our artists to connect with those people and hopefully some funds… to be able to practise.”

Watch the video here http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2016/08/31/services-and-artists-meet-at-speed-dating-event/

SUCCESS! Grant for Aboriginal Artists in the NENW

$770,000 FOR ABORIGINAL ARTS AND CULTURAL PROJECTS The NSW Government has provided almost $770,000 for 25 projects that support training, career development, employment and marketing opportunities for Aboriginal artists, arts workers and young people across NSW. Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the new projects will enable Aboriginal artists to build on their abilities and talents, boost local economies and encourage a greater appreciation of Aboriginal culture in the wider community. “Almost $296,000 will fund two Aboriginal art fairs, two projects that provide dance and theatre training to young Aboriginal people and two career traineeships,” Mr Grant said. “An additional $260,000 will provide employment placements for four Aboriginal arts professionals at leading arts organisations, while 15 projects valued at $208,000 will support Aboriginal artists in regional and remote communities.” Mr Grant said the Government is proud to invest in a vibrant and distinctive Aboriginal arts and cultural sector, supporting local artists and arts workers across NSW to tell the stories of their communities. “NSW is fortunate to have a vast array of Aboriginal artistic talent across art forms including visual art, dance, theatre, literature and music,” he said. “The funding is part of the Government’s Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy, which guides Arts NSW’s ongoing partnerships and supports new creative opportunities for Aboriginal artists, arts workers, communities and audiences. “In February, we launched the second stage of this strategy, Connection, Culture and Pathways, which has a focus on career pathways through initiatives such as mentorships, secondments, employment placements and industry partnerships,” he said. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams said these projects would help many talented Aboriginal artists continue to tell compelling stories in many art forms. “Aboriginal artists have been telling unique stories for thousands of years and we want to make sure that continues in Sydney suburbs and throughout regional NSW,” she said. 

Arts North West Inc: $15,000 for Making Old Markings New, a project to support professional skills development of four Anaiwan and Kamilaroi artists to re-connect with their regional cultural identity. The artists will work with experts at the Australian Museum and the University of New England to explore objects and mark-making traditions from the New England North West. It will include an e-resource and mini exhibition. 

Community Consultations To Establish Cultural Priorities

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.