$550,000 to accelerate regional arts and culture in WA

Regional Arts WA

Regional Arts WA is pleased to announce that 48 regional West Australian artists and organisations have received grants through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program.

The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program enables arts organisations, local governments, and artists to promote and develop cultural events for local and domestic tourists across regional Western Australia.

Image: South West-based saxophonist Serge Le Goueff aka Mr Smith performs at the 2021 CinefestOZ Festival. Photo by Court McAllister, courtesy CinefestOZ.

Grants of up to $15,000 have been awarded to support marketing campaigns, foster cross-sector partnerships across the arts and other industries, and develop new experiences for audiences within regional WA.

Regional Arts WA CEO Paul MacPhail says this investment of over half a million dollars will stimulate the economy and showcase the value that regional arts brings to our communities.

“Regional Arts WA is pleased to support these exceptional regional artists, arts organisations, and local governments. The regional arts sector is essential to our communities, and this funding will have an immediate positive effect on local economies, by providing local job opportunities, leveraging partnerships, and providing a positive flow on effect to allied sectors.

Although we acknowledge that some projects may need to adapt as the COVID-19 situation continues to develop here in WA, we look forward to seeing these events roll out throughout the year, as the regional arts sector once again leads their communities through the pandemic.”

Funded projects include:

Arts Narrogin (Wheatbelt) has received $10,000 to improve accessibility of live performance in Narrogin by providing increased transport options to their venue for local Seniors and First Nations peoples from surrounding communities.
Denmark Arts Council (Great Southern) has received $15,000 to develop Waterways, a digital QR code artwork trail along local waterways, which tells stories of family, people and place, and their connection to local waterways.
CinefestOZ (South West) has received $15,000 to develop a partnership program with local businesses across the South West, creating a range of additional offers and activities that add value to the festival and its visitors.
Mara Arts Aboriginal Corporation (Mid West) has received $15,000 to partner with Project3, Curtin University and Prospero Productions to deliver the immersive Yamaji Art – Star Dreaming Dome Experience. The cinematic piece will feature four Aboriginal artworks showcasing cultural sky stories and will be launched at the 2022 Shore Leave Festival in Geraldton.
Cindy Poole (Goldfields-Esperance) has received $10,000 to present a new Discover and Create glass art tour. Visitors will experience first-class, hands-on insight into the world of glass and artistic sustainability that pays homage to nature and the raw beauty of the Esperance region.
Nyamba Buru Yawuru (Kimberley) has received $10,000 to promote its Wanggajarli Burugun (We are Coming Home) exhibition and associated events during Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri Festival 2022.
Northwest Multicultural Association WA (Pilbara) has received $2,500 to promote their Harmony Day celebration in Karratha, allowing visitors to learn about the different cultures of those living in the Pilbara, and experience a range of multicultural activities.
Darcy Palladino (South West) has received $10,000 to partner with La Colmena Hostel in Margaret River, to craft a unique space inviting visitors to engage with rural WA through a program of social practice art activities.