Audiences across the state will soon have access to 131 creative projects and programs that showcase the exceptional calibre of talent and imagination of NSW’s creative industries.
The $7.7 million investment through Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program will support both individuals and organisations, employing more than 10,000 artists, creative industry leaders and cultural workers across every artform – Aboriginal arts and culture, contemporary music, classical music, dance, festivals, history and museums, literature, multi-arts, theatre, physical theatre and visual arts.
Twenty-five organisations will receive funding to support annual programming, while 106 new and exciting projects will be brought to life, including 14 First Nations projects.
An estimated audience of more than 13 million residents and visitors across NSW will enjoy the homegrown arts and cultural experiences that will be created as a result, so more people can connect with diverse and unique local stories.
Among the diverse and impactful programs are a 12-month artist residency for emerging First Nations artists on Bundjalung Country, storytelling through dance in Narooma, a new children’s theatre production created in Bathurst, an arts and cultural festival celebrating Newcastle’s creative spirit, and many more.
Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre Inc will be supported to enable a collective of 10 emerging artists who are d/Deaf and/or have disability to embark on creating Bleachers – a new regional, disability-led dance-theatre work.
Exploring powerful themes through movement, contemporary dance and personal stories, the project is an opportunity for the artists to hold the lens to their diverse experiences and develop new multi-disciplinary creative skills from project inception to production.
“Sprung is thrilled to receive support from Create NSW for the development of our new work Bleachers,” said Jenna Green, CEO of Sprung Dance Theatre. “This funding will enable artists with disability and/or who are d/Deaf to make the art they want, the way they want – an important investment in the diversity of our State’s cultural landscape.”
“Under the leadership of our new Artistic Director, Daniele Constance, this will be the Ensemble’s first disability-led work and a valuable opportunity for the artists to build new skills.”
The second round of the Arts and Cultural Funding Program for 2023/24 received 510 eligible applications, a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. All applications funded through Round 2 were assessed and recommended against published criteria and ranked in order of merit and impact by the Artform Advisory Boards.
“This investment will help thousands of talented artists and creative industry workers realise their creative visions and produce diverse experiences and cultural enrichment for millions of people across our state,” said Create NSW Chief Executive, Annette Pitman.
“With 131 incredible projects and programs brought to life through the Arts and Cultural Funding Program, it’s clear that the state has exceptional talent right here at home and NSW is the place to create.”
“The vision of the state’s first arts, culture and creative industries policy, Creative Communities, to grow the creative industries, will further be realised by the enormous powerhouse of creative production that now begins in earnest,” said Pitman.
For more information about the Arts and Cultural Funding Program, visit: www.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: The Sprung Ensemble 2023 – photo by Thomas Oliver