Arts and cultural organisations across the state will share in $18.5 million of funding provided by the NSW Government to deliver innovative and vibrant annual programs and individual projects to local communities.
The funding includes $17 million in funding for annual programs, with 57 organisations sharing in $4 million in single-year support and 79 organisations being allocated a combined $13 million in multi-year grants.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the program funding will support the work of more than 9,700 artists and the employment of more than 1,100 people in the sector.
“This funding program supports artists and cultural workers while enriching the lives of people across NSW, delivering for regional galleries and contemporary opera, to script distribution and Aboriginal theatre,” said Mr Grant. “These grants include increases for arts and cultural organisations based in the government’s priority areas of Western Sydney and Regional NSW.”
A further $1.5 million has been allocated to fund 41 individual projects by NSW artists and organisations. The projects cover a wide range of creative activities, including a music industry training program and open day in Western Sydney, and an exhibition exploring the traditions of the Barkindji people in Dareton, a small town of just 500 people in South Western NSW.
“This funding provides artists with further opportunities to showcase innovative and quality works, allowing people to experience a diverse range of arts activities while generating social and economic benefits across the state,” said Mr Grant.
Both funding categories are part of Arts NSW’s Arts and Cultural Development Program, which will provide more than $52 million in 2016/17 to support artists and arts organisations. For more information and a complete list of recipients, visit: www.arts.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Four Winds Festival in Bermagui