From film script development to using yarn to make social connections, nine arts projects across the NSW Central West will share $17,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s annual County Arts Support Program (CASP).
Regional arts development organisation Arts OutWest have announced the Central West recipients of this long-running small grants program. Delivered locally by Arts OutWest this 2022 CASP round is focused on community-based, locally developed activities with outcomes that benefit people living in the Arts OutWest region.
Funds are primarily for the payment of artists and arts workers to undertake or manage arts activities in local communities. Applicants could apply for up to $3000, with groups, councils, individuals and arts businesses eligible.
Funded projects in 2022 will be spread across the region and include: a writer’s workshop weekend in Grenfell, a yarn craft project in Kandos, a spring series of recitals performed on the Bathurst War Memorial Carillion, the knitting and crocheting of birds and costume pieces for the Fast Cars and Dirty Beats project in Bathurst, script development and community reading of proof-of-concept short film out of Orange, art and craft workshops as part of the Kalarie-Lachlan River Arts Festival in Forbes, establishing a pottery group for young mothers in Condobolin, support for local artists to perform alongside the Orange Winter Jazz Festival and an artist residency for an emerging Australian rural, regional or outback artist at The Corner Store Gallery Orange.
The funded projects will employ 50 professional arts practitioners and utilise more than 40 volunteers, nearly 500 volunteer hours and bring in $25,000 worth of in-kind support from the community and local businesses.
Much of the funds will be spent locally and the projects will also make use of in-kind goods and services from local councils, businesses and community groups.