Regional Arts WA announces an expansion of the Regional Arts Network (RAN) and 2025 activities

Regional Arts WA announces an expansion of the Regional Arts Network (RAN) and 2025 activities

Regional Arts WA

Regional Arts WA is dedicated to supporting resilient arts and culture organisations and nurturing creative leadership across all regions of the state.  

We recognise that a thriving regional arts sector enhances community connection, vibrancy and liveability in regional areas. Our strategy, Thrive! Regional Arts, Culture and Creativity Investment Framework 2025-2029, outlines our commitment to creating a lasting positive legacy for both the sector and regional communities.  

After a successful trial, in 2019 we launched Western Australia’s first state-wide network of regionally based not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations, the Regional Arts Network (RAN)*.  

The RAN embodies the strength and solidarity of the regional arts community, and we are thrilled to welcome 12 new organisations to make it a 20-strong member network in February 2025.  

RAN Members include: 

An expanded RAN will connect more regional creative workers and volunteers, offering a supportive peer-to-peer community that shares knowledge, resources, and collaborates with artists and stakeholders. This will set the foundation for sustaining local employment, career development and creative programs, essential for the development and wellbeing of regional communities. Collectively, they work towards the RAN vision: arts and culture are the lifeblood of all regional communities. 

This year, Regional Arts WA will continue to enhance its support provided for regional organisations, ensuring flexibility to introduce a diverse range of RAN members in 2025 and beyond. RAWA aims to strengthen its support to not-for-profit organisations to assist in becoming sustainable and enhance outcomes that work across the community.  

 Regional organisations put communities first and are ideally positioned to drive local outcomes. To realise aspirations for vibrant and liveable regional communities requires a capable and well-resourced local arts not-for-profit sector.   

 “As a peak body, RAWA has an important wrap-around role to support the regional arts and culture sector in Western Australia. The RAN creates a peer-to-peer support system, by providing opportunities for connection, learning, resource sharing, and working collaboratively for the benefit of creative workers and communities across the state.” says Regional Arts WA CEO Dr Pilar Kasat. 

 Over the past year, we have actively engaged with and listened to the regional arts sector. This year, we are excited to implement new approaches, initiatives and tools to address immediate needs and the long-term challenges they are confronted with.” says Regional Arts WA CEO Dr Pilar Kasat.  

 To kick off 2025, RAWA has commenced a digital transformation and is currently revamping its website to enhance user experience and sector visibility, along with building a new digital collaborative tool for the RAN. We plan to assist regional organisations to improve their digital literacy and upgrades for critical infrastructure too.   

 Additionally, we’re introducing a new Sector Development Program that provides targeted organisational and leadership activities through the RAN, along with new industry activities and discussions for artists and the broader regional arts community.  

 Forums, direct support and training on offer in the next six months will focus on organisational governance and leading practices in community arts and cultural development, community wellbeing, climate adaptation and resilience and cultural equity.  

 We will continue to explore new ways to generating local creative employment opportunities, supporting homegrown initiatives and building career pathways for the future generation of artists, practitioners and creative workers. Continuing to invest in placement opportunities for ECU/WAAPA students in RAN organisations and investing in the Regional Arts Triennial are two examples of our ongoing work in this space.  

 *The Regional Arts Network (RAN) initiative is proudly supported by Minderoo Foundation and The Ian Potter Foundation, and with funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.