In recognition of the immense value arts and cultural experiences provide regional communities, the Australian Government continues to support employment and partnership opportunities for artists and creative workers across Australia.
Over $876,000 will be shared by 35 projects across the country, under the latest round of the Regional Arts Fund Project. This will support these projects to increase audience engagement with arts experiences, and foster collaboration opportunities for artists and creative workers.
This includes:
- $30,000 towards delivering a culturally-safe and strategic professional development project for First Nations artists and arts workers in Tasmania, to build capacity through intergenerational sharing of creative, cultural and professional knowledge and skills, led by experienced creative Sinsa Mansell.
- Over $59,000 to support Eastern Riverina Arts to create a capacity building network and audience development program for venues across eight local government areas to reactivate, upskill and provide performance opportunities for local artists, musicians and theatre companies.
In addition to this, $100,000 will flow under the Regional Arts Fund Fellowship program to support the development of six individuals and their artistic and creative practices, including:
- Creative and Professional Development Category: Sarah Reuben (Northern Territory), Anna Richardson (Western Australia), and Elisa Markes Young (Western Australia).
- First Nations Creative Development Category: Deanne Gilson, Tammy Gilson and Erin McCuskey (Victoria).
- First Timer Creative and Professional Development Category: Anna Thomson (Northern Territory), and Jhi Rayner (New South Wales).
The Fellowship funding will enable these artists to build their profiles, and were awarded following a national selection process by Regional Arts Australia.
This funding will support sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities.