Minderoo and The Ian Potter Foundation join forces to connect creative communities across regional WA

Minderoo and The Ian Potter Foundation join forces to connect creative communities across regional WA

Regional Arts WA

Country Arts WA is excited to announce new partnerships with Minderoo and The Ian Potter Foundation, with a total investment of $1 million over 4 years, to connect communities through a Regional Arts Network across Western Australia.

A Regional Arts Network of Hubs across the state will connect regional artists, audiences and arts workers to enable better service delivery, improved communications, increased local decision making and more integrated and coordinated sector planning.

The new partnerships will expand on the work of Country Arts WA’s pilot program which started in 2017. Delivery of the Regional Arts Network will be accelerated through the employment of regional hub coordinators and the delivery of a Local Leadership program to communities.

Paul MacPhail, Chief Executive Officer of Country Arts WA, praised Minderoo and The Ian Potter Foundation for their foresight and strong commitment to regional communities and arts and culture in WA, “We sincerely thank Minderoo and The Ian Potter Foundation for their commitment in advancing regional arts and culture. The Western Australian regional arts sector has consistently told us of their need to feel more connected to each other, share more knowledge and build the capacity of local leaders. The partnerships will support us in meeting these needs as well as strengthen collaborations across the regions.”

Nicola Forrest, Director of the Minderoo Foundation, says Minderoo is excited about the partnership to build further capacity in WA, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Country Arts WA and supporting its Regional Arts Network across the state. We’re excited by the initiative’s goal to build capacity in WA through its network of hubs and leadership training as we believe greater arts engagement in regional centres will benefit all West Australians.”

Mr Charles Goode AC, Chair of The Ian Potter Foundation, agrees this partnership will see greater support and engagement in communities, “The Foundation is pleased to support Country Arts WA in the state-wide expansion of their program to develop the capacity of regional arts practitioners. These community-led initiatives will ensure sustained support of regional arts and greater engagement with their communities.”

You can find out more about the Regional Arts Network here.