Hello Readers,

Hope you’ve been bundled in layers of warmth through WA’s record-breaking cold snap. There are faint signs of spring on the horizon, with wildflowers beginning to bloom and inspire you to grab your paintbrushes, cameras, or whatever other creative tools you’ve got stashed in the studio. Before you rush off though, let’s dive into the latest from us at RAWA.

Funding News

I’m excited to share that our new Blue Room residency fellowship for young regional performance artists is opening soon. Keep an eye on our channels for Expressions of Interest, and help us encourage outstanding young performance makers to apply. The recipient will have the opportunity for tailored professional development from October through December 2025, providing an invaluable chance to grow their practice in a supportive environment.

The Next Level Arts Worker Fellowship is currently open: from August 20th to September 10th. Regional arts organisations can snag $8,000 to catapult a young creative (aged 18-26) into arts stratosphere. The lucky host organisation will provide mentorship and keep brilliant young minds thriving in regional WA.

Regional Roundup

Our RAWA team has been continuing work across the Goldfields-Esperance region for our Social Fabric Equity project, collecting stories and weaving community connections. We’ve got workshops bubbling away in the pipeline and will keep you updated.

Later this month, I’ll be heading to the Emergence Collision event at the Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia. The gathering will offer valuable networking opportunities at the intersection of creativity and sustainability (precisely the kind of cross-sector collaboration that generates breakthrough ideas for our regions). Anyone interested in attending can grab a ticket here.

Emergence Creative Festival. Image of Dan White. Credit: Sean Hsu

Creative Careers Project in Regional WA

We’re thrilled to announce the commencement of our Future Regional Creative Workforce Project, which will be led by industry expert and start-up founder Charlie Gunningham. 

Building on RAWA’s successful collaboration with ECU and WAAPA, we’ll be addressing the growing need for skilled creative professionals in regional WA by supporting Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements for tertiary students, and co-designing pathways with regional arts organisations, local government, and education institutions to help establish sustainable careers for graduates in the regions.

This project is supported by the Regional Arts Fund, with Minderoo Foundation, and The Ian Potter Foundation. The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia. It is managed by Regional Arts Australia on behalf of the Australian Government.

Celebrations

August has been a month of celebrations, so it’s the perfect time to pop the metaphorical bubbly (or your celebratory beverage of choice) and give credit where credit is due.

The Peel and Wheatbelt regions are enjoying their moment in the sun, with Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM) and Arts Narrogin receiving targeted support through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost. This initiative is designed to expand the reach and capacity of public regional galleries.

And indulge me while I engage in some personal board member pride. Our Regional Arts WA Board members continue to demonstrate why they’re such valuable voices at our table. Jacky Cheng was named among the 2025 Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award Finalists, and Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’ has made impact with his curation of ‘Echoes in Draft’ for the Walyalup Fremantle Festival.

Board member ‘Ayo Busari’ on stage for ‘Echoes in Draft’ at the Walyalup Fremantle Festival.

Chamber of Arts & Culture Seeking Feedback

If you haven’t yet participated in the Chamber’s feedback sessions this week, you can read their draft model and complete the survey by August 31st, and  sign up to the session on September 1st.

Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

This month we’re bidding a fond farewell to our Operations Officer, Jaala Kuempflein, who’s returning to her old stomping ground in regional Vic. Jaala has kept our organisation humming with precision while maintaining her signature good humour, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jaala for the warmth she brought to our team every day. Victoria’s gain is most definitely our loss.

But every organisational curtain call heralds a new performer, and we’re delighted to welcome Stacie Standen to the RAWA ensemble. With WAAPA Arts Management credentials, and a CV that includes Executive Assistant acts at both Channel 9 and Perth Festival, Stacie brings formidable expertise to our team.

Before I Go….

You’re likely signed up to our enews already (which is why you’re probably reading this) but please tell your friends to subscribe or better yet, become a member of Regional Arts WA. It costs nothing, and gives you a voice in the regional arts landscape.

Onwards,

Dr. Pilar Kasat