Emerging artists in regional Western Australia are set to benefit from a substantial new investment designed to foster creative talent and sustain the local arts scene. The Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP) has allocated $350,000 over four years to support young and emerging artists through its Next Gen and Next Level funding opportunities.
The introduction of the Next Gen funding programme marks a significant expansion in support for regional arts organisations. For the first time in 2024, grants of up to $3,000 are being offered to five regional organisations. These grants are intended to fund workshops, classes, and training specifically for children and young people in regional Western Australia. The initiative aims to engage young people at a critical age, helping them develop a lifelong passion for the arts while providing local artists with employment opportunities.
Complementing this new programme, the established Next Level Fellowship programme continues to provide vital support to emerging artists. Grants of £8,000 are awarded to individuals aged 18 to 26 who are building careers in the arts. This programme is instrumental in nurturing the next generation of artists and ensuring a vibrant and diverse regional arts sector.
The first round of funding under the Next Gen programme has seen a diverse array of projects receive support. Notable recipients include the Shire of Coolgardie, which will use its grant for Next Gen Arts Workshops in the Goldfields-Esperance region, and the Cunderdin Community Resource Centre, which will implement the Regional Renaissance: Cultivating Creativity project in the Wheatbelt. Other funded projects include the Wagin Youth Art Collective, the Galactic Dreamtime Workshop in Morawa, and the York Yarns initiative from Wheatbelt Arts & Events Inc.
The Next Level Fellowships have been awarded to a range of promising artists. Robbie Fieldwick will work on the project “promethe(us)” in Peel, while Tahnee Carter is set to develop “Koa: Book One” in the Kimberley. Amberley Milne will conduct a songwriting retreat with producer James Newhouse in the South West, and Amy Reeves will lead the “Idol Inspirations: Songwriting Workshops” in the Kimberley. Jessica Le Monnier will use her grant for ceramics and self-expression workshops in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
Both funding programmes are supported by the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program, with financial management provided by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Regional Arts WA is responsible for delivering these programmes.
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman emphasised the significance of these initiatives: “Engaging young creatives and employing local artists are vital to creating a flourishing and sustainable regional arts sector. This funding will help emerging regional artists channel their passion into projects that demonstrate the cultural richness of our diverse and prosperous regional communities.”
Regional Development Minister Don Punch also highlighted the broader impact: “Initiatives like these demonstrate the social value of the arts to Western Australian communities and the importance of creative industries to our regional economies.”
For more information on the new funding programmes, visit the Regional Arts WA Next Gen Grant page at regionalartswa.org.au/funding/nextgengrant. This resource provides detailed information on application processes and the goals of these funding opportunities, ensuring that emerging artists across regional WA can access the support they need to thrive.
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