April 14 – NSW Minister for the Arts, George Souris, today invited NSW’s arts and cultural organisations to apply for funding in 2015 under the new Arts and Cultural Development Program.
Organisations applying for program funding will have to deliver activities that engage people from at least one of the rogram’s priority areas:
· People living and/or working in regional NSW
· People living and/or working in Western Sydney
· Aboriginal people
· People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
· Young people
· People with disability
“No matter where you live in NSW, the Government is committed to ensuring that you have the opportunity to participate in arts and cultural activities,” Mr Souris said.
“This new program will reward success and increase the stability of funding for artists, arts and cultural workers and organisations.
“We’ve streamlined the application process and opened up the opportunity for arts organisations to progress from project to program funding and multi-year funding, depending on their capacity to achieve sustained success.
“Changes to eligibility will also ensure that the NSW Government continues to be open to funding a diverse range of activities.
“I encourage arts and cultural organisations, artists and arts practitioners to read the guidelines we have published today and to consider applying for funding.”
The Arts and Cultural Development Program is being introduced for the 2014-15 financial year, replacing the previous Arts Funding Program, following a review in 2013.
“There will be a renewed focus on quality, reach and the health of the sector to make sure Government funding delivers programs and projects with the greatest impact and value for the people of NSW, wherever they live,” Mr Souris said.
He said the NSW Government had taken this important to step to ensure delivery against priorities and sectoral needs.
Arts NSW will hold a series of nine information sessions about the Arts and Cultural Development Program throughout the State from 29 April 2014.
List of venues:
Carriageworks, Eveleigh – Tuesday 29 April (10.30am – 12.30pm)
Information and Cultural Exchange, Parramatta – Wednesday 30 April 2014 (10.30am – 12.30pm)
Newcastle Regional Museum, Newcastle – Friday 2 May 2014 (11.30am – 1.30pm)
Department of Trade & Industry Macquarie Room, Orange – Monday 5 May 2014 (10.30am– 12.30pm)
Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo – Tuesday 6 May 2014 (10.30am – 12.30pm)
The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie – Wednesday 7 May 2014 (11.00am – 1.00pm)
Narrandera Bowling and Recreation Club, Narrandera – Friday 9 May 2014 (11.30am – 1.30pm)
Nowra Library, Nowra – Monday 12 May 2014 (11.30am – 1.30pm)
Lismore Art Gallery, Lismore – Wednesday 14 May 2014 (10.30am – 12.30pm)