RALLY: Rural Arts-led Regeneration
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 embedded into the fabric of the place they live so deeply. RALLY aims to support and nurture this work, helping artists and arts-organisations to regenerate their communities through their practice.
RALLY will include the following programs:
Rural Centres: Direct, in-person workshops will be 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 are 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 will offer expertise in digital and urban design, showing how creative design can drive rural regeneration.
RALLY will culminate 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 seeks 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 is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW (Cultural Access – Priority Area Projects for Individuals and Organisations, 24/25 grant round).
RALLY is also supported by the Regional Arts Fund: Strategic Project Grants, an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia. The Regional Arts Fund is managed by Regional Arts Australia on behalf of the Australian Government.
Image credits: Regional Arts NSW
RURAL INNOVATORS
RALLY Rural Innovators is a free program that aims to support rural communities with professional development and resources to help them start or develop existing arts-led regeneration projects.
Regional artists and arts organisations are invited to apply now. The program is free of charge and participants gain 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 are now open.
Submit EOIs: regionalartsnsw.com.au/rally/rural-innovators