Long-term arts and culture investment of $1.52M will strengthen regional communities

Long-term arts and culture investment of $1.52M will strengthen regional communities

Regional Arts WA

$1.52 million will be injected into sixteen arts and culture organisations’ annual initiatives in regional Western Australia across the next 2.5 years through the Regional Arts Sector Investment program.

The Regional Arts Sector Investment (RASI) program is funded by the State Government and is delivered by Regional Arts WA.

Ngaanyatjarra, Culture, Life, Health, Design, Fashion, Beauty, Art & Music 2016, featuring Peter Delray Frazer, from Wilurarra Creative’s Alanya Project. Picture courtesy of Wilurarra Creative.

This long-term arts and culture investment will deliver annual initiatives and events, local employment in arts and culture organisations, and boost jobs for professional artists and artworkers delivering creative projects within regional WA communities.

For example:

• Wilurarra Creative (Goldfields-Esperance) will receive $102,836 over 2.5 years to support the creative aspirations of Ngaanyatjarra young adults by recognising strength, building capacity and providing resources. The RASI funding will be used to employ four young people as part of Wilurarra Creative’s program which is self-determined by Ngaanyatjarra people and includes music, Wilurarra Mangka (hair) salon projects, digital inclusion projects and publications including their highly acclaimed Alanya project.
• The Junction Co. (Pilbara) will receive $112,500 over 2.5 years to build the capacity of Pilbara artists to succeed in creative enterprise while also delivering a program that will strengthen Pilbara’s liveability and connectedness. The RASI funding will support the new role of Pilbara Arts Co-ordinator who will strengthen the organisation’s reach across Port Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Karratha and Onslow.
• Arts Narrogin (Wheatbelt) will receive $88,000 over 2.5 years to support and promote art, culture and entertainment in Narrogin and Dryandra Country region. RASI funding will be used to continue the employment of a part-time Manager who then leverages additional resources to deliver a strategic program that focuses on community connection and belonging; the creativity of local artists and strengthening audience engagement.

A panel of arts and culture community leaders assessed the RASI applications with Alison Dalziel as their Chair. Alison was keen to stress the importance of stimulating activity and investment across a broad range of regional arts practice and organisations.

“The contribution of culture and arts to liveable and thriving communities can’t be overstated. The successful organisations enable regional communities across WA to access outstanding arts experiences, via an array of artforms including Aboriginal culture, youth theatre, music, circus and visual arts.”

The full list of Regional Arts Sector Investment (RASI) recipients:

• Wilurarra Creative (Goldfields Esperance), $102,836 over 2.5 years
• Theatre Kimberley Inc. (Kimberley), $150,000 over 2.5 years
• The Junction Co. (Pilbara), $112,500 over 2.5 years
• The Cannery Arts Centre (Goldfields Esperance), $62,500 over 2.5 years
• Southern Forest Arts (South West), $61,494 over 2.5 years
• Southern Edge Arts (Great Southern), $87,500 over 2.5 years
• Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council (Goldfields Esperance), $87,500 over 2.5 years
• North Midlands Project (Mid West), $110,000 over 2.5 years
• Ku’arlu Mangga (Mid West), $112,500 over 2.5 years
• Gascoyne in May Inc. (Gascoyne), $87,500 over 2.5 years
• Esperance Community Arts (Goldfields Esperance), $87,500 over 2.5 years
• Denmark Arts (Great Southern), $150,000 over 2.5 years
• Beverley Station Arts (Wheatbelt), $37,500 over 2.5 years
• ArtSouth WA (Great Southern), $37,500 over 2.5 years
• Arts Narrogin (Wheatbelt), $88,000 over 2.5 years
• *Arts and Culture Christmas Island (Indian Ocean Territories), $150,000 over 2.5 years

The program is supported with funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.

*Additional support from the Australia Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities has been directed to support the Indian Ocean Territories with a separate Federal government allocation to enable funding for Arts and Culture Christmas Island.