Local communities driving regional Hubs initiative
Regional Arts WA
Five diverse organisations will be leading Regional Arts WA’s Regional Arts Network initiative as they re-imagine how arts services are delivered to their local communities across regional and remote Western Australia.
The Regional Arts Network of Hubs is proudly supported by the Minderoo Foundation and The Ian Potter Foundation, and with funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund. The four year investment provides each Hub with an initial one-year investment to employ a local Hub Coordinator to lead conversations with their communities to support local arts and culture outcomes and activate a state-wide network.
One of the five new Hubs will be North Midlands Project, who run a number of projects in the Mid West including Geraldton’s Platform Studio. Photo by Lynda Howitt.
The program’s Expression of Interests (EOI) were reviewed by a panel of regional community leaders. Out of the 11 EOIs received, five organisations were selected to become a Hub; ArtGold (Goldfields-Esperance), Creative Corner (South West), North Midlands Project (Mid West), Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council (Goldfields-Esperance), and The Junction Co. (Pilbara).
Regional Arts WA CEO Paul MacPhail says he is excited to see this program attract a diverse range of organisations.
“We know each region has its diverse communities, imperatives, cultural requirements and challenges. This is reflected in the five organisations selected by the panel to be part of the Regional Arts Network. Each organisation is uniquely positioned in their community to meet local needs.”
The recently selected Hubs are also thrilled and say they are invested in/committed to coordinating a network within their communities to drive local decision making.
Artgold Chair John Matthew says, “The Regional Arts Network initiative will provide benefits beyond our current reach and capabilities. It will increase the exposure of our good news stories documenting our creativity, innovation, collaboration and success born and nurtured here in the Goldfields. Having the resources to be able to employ another person in the Goldfields creative industries is a boost to industry diversification. It will not only provide practical support for artists and arts workers within the region but have them connected to a state-wide network.”
Creative Corner Acting Chair Mat Lewis says, “Creative Corner is extremely proud to be selected to continue as a regional arts hub. The Creative Corner places enormous value in the partnership with Regional Arts WA over the years, which strengthens the support for the Creative sectors across the region. This will provide significant opportunities to develop collaboration across the state.”
North Midlands Project Co-Chairs Jane King and Andrew Bowman-Bright say, “North Midlands Project is looking forward to being part of this sector-wide initiative. We’re excited to expand our work in connecting artists, arts workers and the community to build strong outcomes for regional Western Australia. Our many thanks to Regional Arts WA, the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, The Ian Potter Foundation and the Minderoo Foundation.”
Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council’s Chair Ainsley Foulds says, “The Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council is excited to be selected to be part of the Regional Arts WA Network of Hubs. Connection is what helps communities to thrive, we are looking forward to further establishing considered networks, researching interregional goals, mapping community assets, resources and artists and deepening connections.”
The Junction Co. Chair Miranda Cecich says, “The Junction Co. team is incredibly excited to form a new partnership with Regional Arts WA, to establish the Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery+Studio as a Hub for the Pilbara region. This is an opportunity for regional creatives, those from Newman to Warralong, Coassack to Dampier, Hedland and Tom Price, to connect and network with other creatives, industry, schools and those wanting to engage with regional arts and culture. The Junction Co.’s vision to engage, grow and empower regional creatives is significantly supported through the partnership with Regional Arts WA.”
Find more info on our Regional Arts Network page.
