Dear Readers,

I’ve just returned from a beautiful holiday in Bhutan (yes that’s me atop a mountain). It’s the country that measures Gross National Happiness as seriously as most nations measure GDP, and what struck me most there, was the sophisticated understanding of climate responsibility, the role of culture and aesthetics in daily life, and community collaboration, concepts that feel increasingly urgent as I consider how we might translate these lessons back to Western Australia’s vast and varied regions.

A few housekeeping notes before we dive in: our Perth office will be closed from Monday December 22nd through to New Year, giving our brilliant and hard working team time to recharge before 2026. We’ll be back at our desks on January 5th.

This month, we’re celebrating the recipients of three new Next Level Fellowships as well as the Regional Arts Fund. We’re also profiling Mid West-based artist Lauren Elise Kennedy, whose paintings capture wildflowers in all their spring glory. And we’ve compiled a guide to grants closing before Christmas (because nothing says bring on the festive season quite like a successfully submitted funding application).

For many, summer now beckons with its familiar rituals: good food, music festivals, time with family and friends, regional adventures, and those precious moments carved out for arts, films, and creative practice. Whatever your summer holds, we hope it’s filled with inspiration, connection, and with any luck – a bit of well-earned rest.

Onwards,

Dr Pilar Kasat

Featured image: Pilar Kasat standing atop a mountain in Bhutan. Photo courtesy of Pilar Kasat.