Community News
Up to $5000 for Northern Rivers based community engaged arts projects
Arts Northern Rivers’ has announced that applications are now open for the Country Arts Support Program, an annual small grants program administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Create NSW.
The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is a Create NSW initiative that supports a creative, vibrant and resilient arts and cultural sector by offering up to $5000 to locally initiated projects by not-for-profits, local government authorities and collectives in regional NSW.
Arts Northern Rivers has set a regional priority focus to ensure that all art-forms and applicants are being represented. This year Arts Northern Rivers has decided that their region’s priority focus will be on first-time applicants and applications for performance based projects.
Arts Northern Rivers executive director, Peter Wood said, ‘CASP is a great opportunity for artists to develop projects that engage our local community and encourage broad participation in arts and cultural activity across the region’ “and in 2018 we are encouraging applications from artists and organisations that haven’t previously applied for CASP support – as well as performance based projects including theatre, music and dance”.
Funding for the 2019 round is available for projects occurring between 1 January 1 and 31 December 2019. Eligible activities include workshops, exhibitions, performances, artist-in-residence programs, and public art and design projects. The 2018 CASP round saw support for 76 Country Arts Projects, sharing in nearly $250,000 and ranging from classical jazz and blues performances to touring theatre and residency opportunities.
“CASP demonstrates the vitality and breadth of the arts across regional NSW,” CEO of Regional Arts NSW, Elizabeth Rogers said.
“Projects are assessed locally by independent regional panels, ensuring that each project serves the cultural needs of its respective region. 2018 was another competitive round and I am looking forward to seeing new and exciting proposals for 2019.”
Applicants are required to discuss their proposed CASP projects and their region’s priority areas with Arts Northern Rivers prior to submission.
Applications for the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) close on Friday 3 August 2018, 5pm AEST. For more information about the program, including guidelines and instructions, visit: www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/casp