History

May 2021

Delivered the final tour of Shows on the Go

April 2021

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia, Named as Patron of Regional Arts WA

August 2020

Inaugural Regional Artist Fellowships announced

July 2020

Regional Arts Resilience Grants announced

Provided immediate support to the regional arts sector to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Provided by the State Government’s Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program (RACIP).

June 2020

Regional Arts Fund’s Recovery Boost announced

One-off targeted investment provided relief, recovery and renew for the regional arts sector from the COVID-19 pandemic. Provided by the Australian Government through Regional Arts Australia.

April 2020

Regional Online Chats Launched

April 2020

Artist of the Month Launched

October 2019

Evolved to Regional Arts WA

May 2019

Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program announced

$18.94 million in State Government funding is secured for the regional arts and culture sector, supporting the development of regional communities as liveable, dynamic and diverse places to live.

September 2018

10 Years of Sand Tracks

2018 marked the 10th Sand Tracks Tour, headlined by the legendary Saltwater Band joined by the fresh young sounds of Black Rock Band.

You can read more about the details of this tour and the last 10 years of Sand Tracks here.

May 2018

Community Presenter Guide launched

Assembled with the contribution of dozens of artists and artsworkers from around regional WA and beyond – this guide is the one-stop-shop for any aspiring community presenter, and can be found on our resources page.

October 2017

2017 WA Regional Arts Summit

State Regional Arts Conference held in Mandurah

October 2017

Regional Arts Partnership Programs announced

Initiated a new funding model and the largest funding agreements was signed

August 2017

Regional Arts Hubs Pilot Program commenced

Creation of a new regional arts network

June 2017

Mapping Arts and Culture in Regional WA research launched

Conducted to better inform future regional arts and culture strategies

April 2017

Country Arts WA’s membership is free

March 2017

Vote Arts Campaign lobbied for continued $24 million regional arts funding from 2019 onwards

Mobilised and activated regional Western Australians ahead of the State Election

October 2016

Regional Arts Policy Framework created

Research and resource presented to key State politicians

May 2016

Rebrand

23-25 November 2015

First gathering of metropolitan organisations and regional arts organisations.

For the development of the Regional Peak Partnership Program, a gathering of the metropolitan peak arts organisations and the regional arts organisations was held at Fairbridge.

October 2015

Lead organisation status announced by Department of Culture and the Arts.

Country Arts WA and PICA were announced as lead arts organisations in WA.

June 2015

Scheme Four – $5.7million of the Royalties for Regions $24million allocated to Country Arts WA

June 2015

Royalties for Regions $24million announcement

By The Hon. John Day at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.

June 2015

Aboriginal Arts Centre WA became independent and incorporated

Country Arts WA incubated and developed the AACHWA to become independent mid 2015

October 2014

Regional Arts Australia Summit: Arts and Edges held in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Country Arts WA delivered the Regional Arts Australia Summit (RAA Summit).

2012

2020nine Manifesto delivered to Parliament House steps

2012-2014

HARTZ (Hedland Arts Council) partnership sponsorshop with BHP Billiton and Country Arts WA

Funding agreement for three years with BHP Billiton and operational support with Country Arts WA.

2011

Open Your Eyes – State Regional Arts Conference held in Geraldton

2010

Sand Tracks Cross Borders tour

2010-2013

Gascoyne Focus Region Initiative

2009

First Sand Tracks pilot tour launched

Touring to remote Indigenous communities of the Western Australian region.

2008

Narbarlek , Indigenous band toured remote WA

2007

Pulse – State Regional Arts Conference held in Denmark

Part of the Mid-West Focus Region

2006

BLINK – Gnowangerup

2006-2008

Mid-West Focus Region

2004

Wheatbelt Cultural Forum Kellerberrin

2004

Narbarlek , Indigenous band toured remote WA

First Indigenous band toured through country Arts WA with phenomenal following and response

2003

HORIZONS regional arts state conference in Karratha

250 delegates attended a three-day regional arts state conference

January 2003

Launched Propelarts

The launch of Propelarts ended a two year mentoring program that Country Arts WA played with this new youth arts organisation. This began the formal life of the state’s first youth arts advocacy organisation>

1994

Country Arts WA became Incorporated and opened