Regional Arts Australia launched its National Strategic Projects at Australian Parliament House.
Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean, introduced the National Strategic Projects developed by Regional Arts Australia at APH on March 21 to politicians, media and arts industry. These projects will deliver art and cultural opportunities across regional and remote Australia over the next four years.
The Regional Arts Fund will support RAA and its member network – Arts NT; Artslink Queensland; Country Arts SA; Country Arts WA; Regional Arts NSW; Regional Arts Victoria; Tasmanian Regional Arts- to develop and deliver national initiatives including:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement will build capacity within regional and remote communities through skills development, partnerships and networking.
• Animating Spaces supports the revitalisation and renewal of disused and non-traditional arts spaces.
• Broadband and Digital Arts Initiatives supports projects that utilise this vital infrastructure and provides skills for exploring new tools including the NBN.
• Creative Social Enterprise develops local capacity and resources to work with local business and organisations to generate new ways of supporting cultural activities.
• National Visual Arts Showcase brings together renowned regional and remote artists who will mentor other local artists to participate in one of Australia’s largest regional visual arts exhibitions.
These projects will form a major focus for RAA over the next four years. Creating cross boarder collaborations and national perspectives.
President of Regional Arts Australia, Dennis Goldner said “Regional Arts Australia has worked hard with its regional and remote constituency to identify key priority areas to develop the National Strategic Priorities for the next four years. We are very pleased and appreciative that the Minister has launched this program that has been funding under the Regional Arts Fund and look forward to delivering a national program that enriches the cultural lives of Australians living outside the major cities.”
The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) is an Australian Government program, delivered by Regional Arts Australia that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia. The funding is targeted at activities that will have long term cultural, economic and social benefits for individuals and communities through the development of partnerships and cultural networks, by providing artists with professional development and employment opportunities, and by supporting arts and community development projects that provide local communities with the opportunity to participate in, and access cultural activities. The Fund has an emphasis on building capacity in disadvantaged, very remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Regional Arts Australia is the national advocacy and industry development body for the arts in regional Australia. It promotes the development of arts for the one in three Australians living in regional, rural and remote parts of the country. Its members give country Australians access to outstanding cultural experiences that are either home-grown or on tour from other towns and cities. In this way, Regional Arts Australia gives a voice to artists and puts culture at the heart of community life across country Australia.
Regional Arts Australia is committed to developing positive collaborations and partnerships that will create healthy, inclusive and culturally rich regional communities where people’s abilities, strengths, diverse cultures and needs are recognised.
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Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.