RALLY is a collaborative initiative by Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) and Alex Wisser (co-founder of Cementa Festival), designed to fuel Rural Arts-Led Regeneration by championing creativity, collaboration, and community leadership.

The arts play a crucial role in enlivening communities. This is especially true in rural towns, where artists are deeply embedded in the fabric of the places they live. RALLY aimed to support and nurture this work, helping artists and arts organisations to regenerate their communities through their practice.

RALLY included the following programs:

Rural Centres: Direct, in-person workshops were delivered to five selected towns (Broken Hill, Deniliquin, Ganmain, Harden, and Manilla), providing targeted support for their regeneration initiatives.

Rural Innovators: Artists across the state were invited to participate in this program, giving them access to professional development and connection with peers who are leading regeneration efforts in rural communities.

Rural Design Club: Regional graphic designer Rach Viski and architecture consultant Tony McBurney offered expertise in digital and urban design, showing how creative design can drive rural regeneration.

RALLY culminated in a two-day state-wide development workshop in Kandos, NSW for all partners and participants, featuring workshops, panel discussions, and opportunities for collaborative planning.

By supporting five rural locations and connecting them with a state-wide network, RALLY sought to spark innovation and resilience through art and design. Our goal is to nurture sustainable development and vibrant communities across regional NSW. Learn more: regionalartsnsw.com.au/rally

RALLY SUPPORTERS

RALLY was produced by Regional Arts NSW and Alex Wisser (co-founder of Cementa Festival, Kandos).

RALLY was supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW (Cultural Access – Priority Area Projects for Individuals and Organisations, 24/25 grant round).

RALLY was also supported by the Regional Arts Fund: Strategic Project Grants, an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities. The Regional Arts Fund is managed by Regional Arts Australia on behalf of the Australian Government.

RURAL INNOVATORS

RALLY Rural Innovators was a free program that aimed to support rural communities with professional development and resources to help them start new arts-led regeneration projects or develop existing ones.

Regional artists and arts organisations were invited to apply. The program was free of charge and participants gained access to:

Six online workshop and connection sessions, with input from industry professionals and dedicated time to network and discuss ideas with other participants.

An online portal to connect with the Rural Innovators network and access the regeneration resource library.

Invitation to attend the RALLY Regeneration Forum in Kandos, April 2026.

Opportunity to apply for a bursary to attend the RALLY Regeneration Forum in Kandos, April 2026.

Expressions of Interest for the RALLY Rural Innovators Program have now closed.

More information: regionalartsnsw.com.au/rally/rural-innovators

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