A total of $157,000 is available for regional communities to access professional artists and created projects in 2005. Arts Projects and Artists Residencies is part of the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, managed in WA by Country Arts WA.
Exciting projects that can involve artists in residence working in hospitals, libraries, arts centres, on public art installations, with festivals, young people, seniors or cultural groups can be supported by these funds. Other projects that bring community groups together with professional artists from all disciplines can also be supported.
“Regional communities have used the arts as a very powerful tool to feature unique elements of their town, improve quality of life and bring the community together. This Regional Arts Funding provides support for projects that link community groups and individuals with some of the many professional artists in WA. Visual arts, performance, public art, literature, circus and festivals are just some of the areas where these funds can be used to add value to regional life,” said Andy Farrant, General Manager of Country Arts WA.
“More and more the arts are being used as a way of reinvigorating and revitalising regional centres. They are accessible by people of all ages and all backgrounds”
The current funding round for Arts Projects and Artist Residencies closes 18 March 2005. Community groups are eligible to apply for projects across all artforms for amounts of up $10,000 per application.
Projects funded in past include the production of a CD of songs about the Stolen Generation from the Kimberley, a residency by a visual artist to assist a town to create puppets and costumes for a street parade, writers workshops and the development of a theatre script in a regional prison and a sculptural entry statement, designed by young people, in collaboration with the local progress association.
Applications are encouraged from regional rural and remote communities. Arts and cultural activity in the country WA provides employment, professional development and builds on a community’s capacity to develop and express its own culture.
For further information and to discuss any project ideas, contact the Regional Arts Fund Project Officer at Country Arts WA on 9481 0077 or toll free 1800 811 883. Guidelines and application forms are available on the Country Arts WA website www.countryartswa.asn.au
For more media information, contact Andy Farrant on 9481 0077 or Mobile 0417 920 900.
