Country Art Support Program Opens Today!

Do you have an arts project that needs a financial lift? Will your project contribute to arts and cultural activity in your community? 
 
The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual grants program that supports community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through grants of up to $3000. CASP opens on Friday 26 May 2017 and close 5:00PM Thursday 27 July 2017.
 
CASP is an annual small grants program administered by Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) on behalf of Arts NSW. http://regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/casp/

WHAT'S NEW FOR CASP?

• CASP applications will only be accepted through the Arts NSW secure on-line grants system, SmartyGrants.
• Guidelines have been reviewed and simplified.
• You will need to respond to a number of Create NSW KPIs that are common to all arts grants applicants under the NSW Arts and Cultural Policy Framework (ACDP). 

OBJECTIVES

• The aim of the Country Arts Support Program is to support community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through small grants that:
• Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities.
• Increase opportunities for regionally-based groups to access a diverse range of arts programs.
• Enable communities to explore and express their cultural identities.
• Bring social and economic benefits to the community through training, employment and promotional opportunities.
• Lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.
• Increase the sustainability and resilience of regionally based community arts organisations.

DON’T FORGET!

• read the CASP 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 help you with any questions you have in regards to your project and applying for CASP.

Do you know an Elder with a hidden story?

The road leads south for the Rivers to Ridges team as they make their way to Tamworth to shoot the second round of Elders interviews for "Rivers to Ridges and the stories in between” in May 2017. Lead artist Loren Ryan met with Creative Director Lorrayne Riggs in Tamworth last week to discuss the final details of the project including location scouting and Elder participation. If you have an Elder that has a hidden story to tell please contact Loren on 0421789788 or Lorrayne on 0467668977, they are particularly interested in hearing from Elders  who have not had their story recorded before and who have a connection to what makes our region unique from the perspective of an Aboriginal person. 

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Launch

Arts North West and Accessible Arts NSW will be celebrating the launch of Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource at the Civic Centre Gunnedah on22 May 2017.

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Manual is the direct result of The Heading West Project, a strategic two year partnership between Arts North West, Arts Northern Rivers (regional arts development organisations) and Accessible Arts NSW.  This resource manual is a how-to-guide to deliver arts and disability projects and events in regional Australia including project development, marketing, and accessibility plans. It comprises step-by-step processes, templates, resources as well as a number of case studies to assist organisations and individuals to develop their own arts and disability events in their communities.

Everyone is invited to come along, participate in an inclusive art activity, and create a nature photo print and frame. All materials and morning tea provided.

WHEN:
11:00am - 1pm Monday 22 May 2017

WHERE:
Creative Arts Centre, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah.

The Creative Arts Centre is an accessible venue.

COST:
Free

Further enquiries, please contact Arts North West via email office@artsnw.com.au, phone 67324988 or visit the website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

Harmony Day Success in Glen Innes

The 2017 Glen Innes Harmony Day attracted around 100 people in the magnificent setting of the Glen Innes Town Hall with a foody heaven created by volunteers who supplied delicious plates of world cuisine from Indian pakoras and raita,  Japanese sushi, to Turkish felafel and tabouli and a tea station that served teas from around the world.  World music was played by DJ, Bob Blair while children and adults alike took part in a range of dancing and arts activities. Nicci Parry-Jones, Arts North West Projects Officer explains, “The art stalls focused on traditional craft practised from different countries such as making mandalas, origami and painting. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.” This festive event and waspresented by Arts North West with assistance from GISC and Refugees Welcome Glen Innes volunteers. The financial support went towards bringing feature act, The Balkanics who performed at the event with well-known multi-instrumentalist, Linsey Pollak. 
 
Luke Hodgson, senior student at the Glen Innes High School took the opportunity to undertake an activity for children – a painting and photo booth as part of his Major Project for Aboriginal Studies, which was enjoyed and utilised by attendees.

“Harmony Day is an inclusive community event to celebrate Australia’s multicultural diversity. The selection of cultural activities on offer aimed to highlight the rich contribution multiculturalism has made, and continues to make, to Australian culture and to encourage community inclusivity through harmonious engagement. Arts North West takes this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who helped on the day and made it such a resounding success.”
 
Funding for Harmony Day GI was provided by the NSW Government through Multiculturalism NSW, Arts North West, Glen Innes Severn Council and Refugee Welcome Glen Innes.