Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Arts Assistance Available

This is a great initiative. If you know anyone with our Mount Druitt or surrounding community member in or around Mount Druitt who is an artists that need that financial assistance, let them know about this. Thank you Blacktown City Council.

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                     16 February, 2017                                   

Community groups and local artists are being urged to apply for funding under Blacktown City Council’s Creative Arts Fund.

“Creativity plays an essential role in building a united, dynamic and sustainable community, and the creation of opportunities for local artists is one of the main priorities of Council’s Cultural Plan,” said Councillor Stephen Bali, Mayor of Blacktown City.

“The Creative Arts Fund provides local artists with a unique opportunity for professional development, to explore creative connections to communities and to experiment with new art forms.”

Launched as a pilot program in 2016, the Creative Arts Fund has since awarded some $40,000 worth of grants to 17 local artists and community organisations.

“This is how we like to make art in Blacktown: we build connections, encourage innovation and nurture local talent,” Mayor Bali said.

“I’m proud to be the Mayor of a city which has established such a long and distinguished history of investing in arts and culture.”

Funding is available in two categories:

CATEGORY A: Community OrganisationsLocal community organisations are eligible for grants of up to $3,000 to develop artistic programs or projects.

CATEGORY B: Individual artist or artist groups Local artists and arts workers are eligible for grants of up to $2,000 to assist their professional development or to work on an arts project with local community organisations.

Two of last year’s recipients have said the Creative Arts Fund boosted their capacity to expand and learn.

“The grant helped our Australian-born youth learn and enjoy our traditional Cook Islands culture, especially our drumming techniques,” said Margaret Nekeare-Cowan, president of the Australian-Cook Islands Community Council (NSW).

The organisation received $3,000 in the community organisation category.

“The Creative Arts Fund gave me the backbone and courage to start a complicated video and music production,” said local photographer Farzin Fardin, who received $2,000 in the individual artist’s category.

“If it wasn’t for this funding, I would not have had the motivation or the resources to do this project.”

An information session will be held at Blacktown Arts Centre from 3pm – 4pm on Thursday, 9 February 2017.

Download guidelines and apply at www.blacktownarts.com.au.