The Geraldton Gathering - WA's Premier Regional Arts Event - which will be held from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 September 2011 - is expected to attract more than 300 people from the arts, community development, health, youth and government sectors to the Mid West region.

Support for the event has come from the Royalties for Regions Mid West Regional Grant Scheme, the State of Western Australia through the State of Western Australia through the Department of Culture and the Arts and the City of Geraldton-Greenough.

Country Arts WA's Vice Chair, Simon Clarke, said the contracting of Sean Doran is an exciting move by the organisation.

"This is the first time Country Arts WA has contracted an artistic director for a major regional arts event. Doran's appointment marks a major shift in the way Country Arts WA is approaching its quadrennial regional arts event.

Doran will be building a world-class artistic program to complement the conference program. This event will cater for visitors and locals alike and projects and works will be developed that will leave a lasting legacy in the Mid West," he said.

Mr Clarke said Doran is an internationally renowned arts manager and festival director having led festivals and arts companies in Australia and the UK including directorships of the Perth International Arts Festival and the English National Opera in London.

As Festival Director of the Perth Festival, he is best known for his commission of 51 sculptures at Lake Ballard by Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley in 2003 and for leaving PIAF with a range of successful legacies including its contemporary music venue (now Beck's Music Box), annual Perth Writers Festival, PIAF in the Great Southern, Joondalup outdoor cinema program and the Wesfarmers Arts Commissions concept.

"This is an exciting new challenge for me alongside my other work here in regional Western Australia.  I hold Geraldton and the many people I have engaged with there in high esteem - it is unquestionably one of the most forward thinking environments in WA today," said Mr Doran.

Hon Brendon Grylls MLA, Minister for Regional Development recently announced $50,000 of funding for the conference through the Royalties for Regions Mid West Regional Grants Scheme.

"The State Government, through its Royalties for Regions Regional Grant Scheme, is pleased to be associated with Country Arts WA's 2011 regional arts event in Geraldton.

The event will assist Mid West communities by attracting investment and improving the quality of life in the region. Regional people from across the state will also benefit from having access to quality arts experiences and by engaging in stimulating discussion and debate about the role of arts in a healthy society," he said. 

 "We have a vision of making this an event to remember and Country Arts WA wants to build on current support by attracting more sponsors to realise our programming goals," Mr Clarke said.

Country Arts WA hosts a state arts conference in regional Western Australia every four years. The 2011 event will build upon the successful PULSE state regional arts conference hosted by Country Arts WA in Denmark in 2007.

For media enquiries, interviews or print quality images contact:
Megan Roberts, Communications Officer
08 9200 6202, 0403 990 486, regional freecall 1800 811 883 or mroberts@countryartswa.asn.au

Voting is now open to all regional Western Australians to help Country Arts WA decide what shows will tour through its Shows on the Go program in 2011.

Through the Cyberpaddock website (http://www.cyberpaddock.com.au/) 44 shows from Producers around Australia are now available to view and vote for.

Country Arts WA has been giving regional Western Australians the power to choose which shows tour through its presenter-driven touring program, Shows on the Go, for 15 years but this is the first year that the process has been open online.

On the Cyberpaddock website you can see images, video, show and producer information.

Potential presenters (not-for-profit community groups, Local Governments, professional venues and the like) are particularly encouraged to visit the Cyberpaddock website, consult with members of their community and vote for shows that they may consider presenting in their town next year.

A hard copy ‘Pocket Touring Menu' is also available if you prefer to see information about the shows in hard copy. Download a copy of the Pocket Touring Menu or visit this page for more information.  

Country Arts WA's Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Machin, said, "Now in its fifteen year, we're as proud and confident in our presenter-driven regional touring program, Shows on the Go.

"By having regional people involved in selecting which shows we tour each year we are always sure to be touring work that is relevant and in-demand when the shows tour through regional WA.

"By moving the process online we hope to increase participation in the voting process which we believe can only be a good thing."

For more information about the Shows on the Go program, help viewing shows on the Cyberpaddock website or to request a copy of the Pocket Touring Menu contact a member of the Touring Team at Country Arts WA on regional freecall 1800 811 883 or touring@countryartswa.as.au

Voting closes Friday, 13 August 2010. The shows selected to tour will be announced by October 2011.

Shows on the Go is made possible through support from the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Culture and the Arts, Lotterywest, Healthway promoting a SmokeFree WA and media partners WIN Television and ABC Local Radio.

To arrange interviews or for media enquiries contact:
Megan Roberts, Communications Officer
08 9200 6202 or regional freecall 1800 811 883 or mroberts@countryartswa.asn.au

The valuable work that Western Australian volunteers contribute to the artistic and cultural lives of their communities is being recognised with Regional Arts Australia recently announcing the 2^nd Volunteer Award winners for each state.

The winner for WA in the Sustained Contribution Category is Ngarralja Tommy May from Fitzroy Crossing and in the Outstanding Contribution Category is Malcolm Armstrong from Boyup Brook.

Tommy May has contributed considerably to regional arts in Australia over the past 25 years. In that time his contributions include being an active Board Member to numerous arts and cultural organisations; involvement in numerous high profile and local projects; contributing to numerous publications and films that promote Aboriginal art, and educate on artists rights and cultural knowledge; attending many cultural and arts festivals - as a dancer, law boss, artist and representative; inclusion in more than 50 exhibitions nationally and internationally promoting indigenous arts; and travelling to many shows increasing profile and understanding of Aboriginal art.

Malcolm Armstrong has played an integral role as Volunteer Treasurer for the Boyup Brook Country Music Club for the past nine years, working in the Arts sector, developing and supporting the ambitions and creative scope of artists. Malcolm demonstrates true leadership qualities and assisted in bringing the Club back from difficult times and moving it to a new level. Over the years he has developed and implemented innovative fundraising ideas and stuck his neck out to make the ideas work. Malcolm is passionate and enthusiastic volunteer and is a tremendous driving force behind a number of local organisations.

Tommy and Malcolm now have the opportunity to receive their awards at Regional Arts Australia's national conference Junction 2010 which is to be held in Launceston (TAS) from 26-29 August 2010. Each recipient will receive a commissioned artwork by Tasmanian artist Sonja Hindrum, presented by the Patron of Regional Arts Australia, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, at the conference dinner.

The total prize package for each recipient is valued at over $1,800 including the commissioned artwork, a registration to Junction 2010, as well as their travel and accommodation costs.

Board Member of Regional Arts Australia and Chief Executive Officer of Country Arts WA, Jessica Machin says the awards are a real way for the sector to recognise the efforts of the many dedicated arts volunteers from right across the country.

"I would like to congratulate both Tommy and Malcolm for their wonderful commitment to the arts and their communities" she said.

 "Without volunteers many regional arts events simply wouldn't happen, and Regional Arts Australia is proud to recognise this effort through our Volunteer Awards. I also congratulate the many wonderful candidates who were nominated for this award, we deeply appreciate their individual efforts".

Registrations for Regional Arts Australia's national conference Junction 2010 are currently open (early bird registrations close 18 June 2010), see http://www.junction2010.com/ for info.  For more information on Regional Arts Australia's activities and the full list of award recipients go to http://www.regionalarts.com.au/

$98,626 cash injection for arts projects in regional Western Australia

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett today announced $98,626 of funding for arts projects in regional, rural and very remote/isolated Western Australia thanks to the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund.

The funding, through the Projects and Residencies program, will support three  projects in the Kimberley region, one in the Great Southern, two in the Peel and two in the South West covering art forms including music, printmaking, visual arts, theatre and literature*.

The Projects and Residencies program supports communities to work with professional artists and cultural advisers to create work in any art form that is innovative and has the potential to develop partnerships across the community.

Country Arts WA's Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Machin, said she's pleased to be funding several projects in remote Indigenous communities and projects which involve young people as these are two of Country Arts WA's priority areas.

"There's an exciting range of projects being funded from music and dance workshops in Halls Creek to site-specific art at Kwoorabup Art Walk Trail on the Denmark River to an exhibition and community workshops by Tjyllyungoo Lance Chadd exploring places and laws of the Bindjareb people." 

Simon Clarke, Chair of the Regional Arts Fund Panel in Western Australia, said that the round was highly competitive with a significant increase in total applications received compared with the previous round. 

"The Panel was pleased by the number of applications that addressed the priority areas of Indigenous arts and culture and children and young people.

"We were also pleased to receive applications from eight out of the nine regions in WA. I believe it's an indication of the strength and vitality of the arts sector in regional Western Australia." he said.

The next Regional Arts Fund closing date for Western Australia is Friday, 13 August 2010 for the Projects and Residencies and Mentorship Programs. For more information contact a member of the Regional Arts Development team at Country Arts WA on regional freecall 1800 811 883.

Projects Funded:

Kimberley

Puranyangu-Rangka Kerrim Aboriginal Corporation                                    $15,000
Nguyuru Warringarrem Halls Creek Music Workshops
Music and dance development workshops in Halls Creek in response to the professional developmental needs identified by local performers.

Kununurra Community Library                                                                        $17,730
Kimberley Writer's Festival
The Kimberley Writer's Festival entertains and inspires the residents of, and visitors to, the East Kimberley with a variety of authors, musicians, songwriters, storytellers and illustrators who share their life stories, expertise and love of the written and spoken word. The Festival is organised by the Kununurra Community Library and supported by the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley and the Kununurra District High School.

Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency Aboriginal Corporation                           $15,000
Fitzroy Stories 
Four local Indigenous artists from each of the four main language groups will be given demonstrations and workshops in basket weaving, painting, animation and traditional artefact making and carving.

Great Southern

Denmark Arts Council (Inc.)                                                                             $18,000
Mandjar Kwoorabup
Funding will go towards the creation of Indigenous site-specific art and associated cultural ceremony along the new Kwoorabup Art Walk Trail on the Denmark River, and to seed-training for Indigenous artists from the Great Southern in site-specific art.

Peel

Serpentine Historical Society Inc                                                                   $10,000
Living Histories 
The project will employ an Indigenous and non-Indigenous artist to facilitate community participation in the design, development and contruction of public artworks to be installed at various locations throughout the town of Serpentine and surrounds. The trail will highlight traditional and contemporary Indigenous and non-Indigenous sites of significance.

Pinjarra Katijin                                                                                                   $10,000
Bindjareb 
An exhibition and community workshops by Tjyllyungoo Lance Chadd providing an artistic interpretation of the places and laws of the Bindjareb people.

South West

Collaboration WA Inc.                                                                                          $9,896
Collaboration WA Bunbury 2010 
Collaboration WA will bring together a group of artists that work in various mediums and encourage and inspire them through collaborative processes. Collaboration WA will engage the local community through public demonstrations and the public auction of all works created at the artist workshop.

Stark Raven Theatre Company Inc.                                                                  $3,000
Theatre Production - Amy 
Stark Raven Theatre Company will conduct community workshops as a prelude to production of a professionally directed play Amy, which is set in and relevant to the region.

Multi-talented musician's Delson and Boyd Stokes will travelled far from their home town in the Goldfields, as their group The Yabu Band toured to eleven communities in regional Western Australia on a tour coordinated by Country Arts WA and presented by Smokefree WA.

The brothers, who at age five were fighting over the same guitar, now make up two thirds of The Yabu Band, one of the most exciting up-and-coming contemporary Aboriginal bands in Australia.

The Yabu Band shared its powerful desert rock sound as part of a stage show featuring traditional instruments and dancers with communities in Esperance, Bunbury, Moora, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Onslow, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Derby and Halls Creek.

The WAMi Festival hits the Gascoyne region this year, with a special tour presented by Country Arts WA's LOUDER contemporary music touring program. Featuring Perth's Boom! Bap! Pow! and Carnarvon raised singer songwriter Ashleigh Rodier, plus a smorgasbord of local guests performing at each show!

Nominated for three WAMi Awards in 2010 including Most Promising New Act, Best Funk Act and Best Female Vocalist for Novac Bull, Boom! Bap! Pow! have been impressing Perth punters with their dynamic live show and sax fuelled tunes! Hot on the heels of supporting Motown stars The Temptations and the Four Tops, these up & coming soul sensations  have just released the new single ‘Science' from their forthcoming album ‘A Little Bit More'.  With three of their tracks already featured on triple j over the past year or so, you are bound to be hearing ‘Science' on the wireless!

So now the Gascoyne get their chance to hear Boom! Bap Pow! and see what everyone is talking about. You can catch them;

BOOM! BAP! POW!

WAMi Festival LOUDER Regional Dates

Tues May 11 - Ningaloo Reef Resort, Coral Bay
+ Dean Murphy 7-10pm

Wed May 12 - Graces Tavern, Exmouth
+ KY & The Jellies, Eve Schmidt & Roger Sholdon 8pm-late

Fri May 14 - The Gascoyne Hotel, Carnarvon
+ Ray Edney, Zenith Archoo, Rainer Lissers and many more 8pm- late

Sat May 15 - The Monkey Bar, Monkey Mia, Shark Bay
+ Howard Cock, Wayne Dekker, Chris McMonagle & Shannon Vasyli

7-10pm

All shows are free entry!! Check out http://wam.asn.au/ for all the details.

As well as the licensed events there will be a select number of school shows & workshops to cater for the under 18's!

The WAMi festival regional Louder tour is financially supported by Country Arts WA.

For all media enquiries please contact Sarah Thomas; Ph: 08 6210 2819 or E: sarah@supersonicevents.com.au

Regional Arts Australia recently released its goals for the next five years. After consulting with regional Australians across the country the views of regional Australians were considered during a Regional Arts Australia National Roundtable Conference.

The Hon. Peter Garrett AM MP opened the national roundtable at the start of a conversation about building partnerships between arts and other organisations to help create strong and healthy regional communities.

Roundtable participants were Chairs and Chief Executive Officers of regionally active agencies, service and advocacy bodies, regional media, the philanthropy sector, economic development sector, and regional not for profit organisations.

Julie Boyd, President of Regional Arts Australia says that ‘with over 85% of Regional Arts Australia constituents believing that the arts play a vital role in community wellbeing and entertainment, and 85% also advising that partnerships between the arts and other organisations are happening within their communities it's time to get our heads together for some combined action to create better lives for regional Australians.

A child growing up in regional Australia is likely to have their first arts experience at a local Agricultural Show, in a workshop run by the local CWA, or at a street fair run by the local Rural Fire Brigade.

Regional Australia is a unique place to grow up, with unique challenges, and we want to make it even better!'

The consultation and national directions proposed by Regional Arts Australia represent a new way of working - in partnership, where the arts can work with a wide range of allied organisations to help achieve the broader goals of regional development.

Organisations represented at the National Roundtable include Barossa and Light Regional Development Board Inc, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia, Economic Development Australia, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Volunteering Australia, Philanthropy Australia, Centenary of Canberra, National Rural Health Alliance,

YMCA Australia, Australian Hotels Association, University of the Third Age Network, Disability Services Australia, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, ABC TV, SBS, Australian Library and Information Association, National Institute for Rural and Regional Australia, Reconciliation Australia and Museums Australia.

Download a copy of the consultation report at www.regionalarts.com.au

Further information please contact:
Beverly Growden, Coordinator National Roundtable beverly.growden@bigpond.com or Ph: 0417903318

Country Arts WA's Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Machin, launched the organisation's 2010 program last night at an event celebrating the Country Arts WA's successes in 2009.

"Next year the priority areas for the organization will continue to be Indigenous Arts and Culture, Children and Young People, Technology and Health and Wellbeing" said Ms Machin.

Highlights of the 2010 program include the beginning of the four-year Gascoyne Focus Region in partnership with the Gascoyne Development Commission, the second year of the Sand Tracks remote Indigenous music touring initiative and the 2010 Regional Arts Australia volunteer awards.

Machin also officially launched the Western Australian Aboriginal Art Centre Hub (WAAACH) project, set up to establish a peak body for a network of Aboriginal Art Centres throughout the state.

Ms Machin said that Country Arts WA is in an exciting stage in its development and over the next three years will be focusing more on developing its own strategic artistic program.

"In addition to our regular funding, state and national touring programs and lobbying and advocacy for the sector, Country Arts WA will continue to build dynamic partnerships and develop its own artistic program." she said.

Country Arts WA's Chair, Catherine West, spoke about the organisation's successes in 2009 including the landmark corporate sponsorship from BHP Billiton Iron Ore to coordinate the Legacy Project in partnership with Artsource and CuriousWorks in Newman, the inaugural Sand Tracks remote Indigenous music tour and the coordination of consultations in Western Australia as part of Regional Arts Australia's National Consultation. 

For more details download the 2010 program launch slideshow here (3MB PDF)

Country Arts WA is an independent, not-for-profit, membership based organisation based in Perth, Western Australia. We exist to help regional Western Australian communities use culture and the arts as part of their community's development through a range of funding, advice and touring services.

For media enquiries, interviews or print quality images contact:
Megan Roberts, Communications Officer
08 9200 6202 or regional freecall 1800 811 883
mroberts@countryartswa.asn.au

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett recently announced $713,800 of funding for arts and cultural activity in regional, rural and very remote/isolated Western Australia thanks to the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund.

The following individuals, projects and organisations were funded from the August round of the Regional Arts Fund.  

Mentorship Funding (emerging)

Elaine Tribbick  $15,000
My Family Tree | Pilbara
Over the course of her mentorship Elaine will learn all processes involved with publishing a book. She will devise, author, illustrate and create a children's book with guidance from her mentor author/artist Matt Ottley.

Manjimup Family Centre   $6,680
B@M Recording Studio Training Program | South West
A group of young people in Manjimup will be mentored by Western Australian music industry leaders Brett Nelli, George Nikoloudis, Shaun O'Callaghan and Stuart Giblett to gain the skills necessary to operate of an existing recording studio, to be used by young musicians and bands, including skills in recording, mixing and mastering.

Mentorship Funding (mid career)

David Hyde | Goldfields-Esperance   $25,000
David will work with South West-based photographer John Austin to further develop his skills in fine art photography and professional development as artists. David plans to present a major exhibition of work portraying people and place in the South West and Goldfields-Esperance regions as an outcome of the mentorship.

Projects & Residencies Funding

Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation   $15,120
Evolution (Through Our Eyes) | Pilbara
Juluwarlu will provide specialist arts development and community based cultural project experiences for nine Indigenous people in Roebourne.

Shire of Mullewa   $20,000
Made by Hand, Inspired by Nature | Mid West
Shire of Mullewa will offer jewelry making workshops to the local community. The workshops will be run by artists-in-residence.

Wila Gutharra Community Aboriginal Corporation   $7,000
Old School Sense of Place Workshops | Mid West
Wila Gutharra Community Aboriginal Corporation will offer a series of workshops at the Old School Site that will celebrate sense of place. Participants will gain skills in a range of art forms including, mosaic and metal. The project seeks to overcome barriers for unemployed Indigenous people in the Northampton community.

Theatre Kimberley   $25,000
An Ideal Husband | Kimberley
Theatre Kimberley will produce and perform a Broome version of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. Performers will be drawn from the core of young people between the ages of fifteen to twenty. The show will tour to Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and possibly Port Hedland.

Strategic Regional Partnerships (funds over 3 years)

Ngaanyatjarra Media Aboriginal Corporation  $150,000
Ngaanyatjarra Music Development Program | Goldfields-Esperance
Over three years Ngaanyatjarra Media Aboriginal Corporation will work with communities in region to establish a vibrant music industry.

The program will include music skills development, performance and festivals, recording, touring and business development.

Kimberley Language Resource Centre   $150,000
Halls Creek Arts Development Project | Kimberley
The Kimberley Language Resource Centre will develop an arts program in Halls Creek that provides opportunities for the development of sustainable social and economic capacity based on the local Indigenous art and culture.

Arts Agencies (funds over 3 years)

Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts (DADAA)   $150,000
DADAA Regional Arts and Health Program | Statewide
DADAA will work in the South West, Goldfields-Esperance and Kimberley regions, extending the cultural aspirations and community participation of regional Western Australians with a physical and/or intellectual disability and/or mental illness and/or those experiencing disadvantage through an engaging multi-arts community cultural development program.

Western Australian Music Industry Association (WAM)  $150,000
WAM Regional Program | Statewide
WAM will employ a fulltime Regional Officer who will provide support for regional Western Australian musicians/bands. WAM will also provide travel funding for the key members of its Regional Round Table, create two audio recording through skills development projects in the Wheatbelt and Mid West and will complete a pilot touring circuit /audience development project in the Wheatbelt. 

Applications for 2010 Regional Arts Funding are now being sought. Applications for the first round of Projects and Residencies will close on 12 March 2010 for projects beginning on or after 1 July 2010. For more information click here

The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional, rural and very remote/isolated Australia. Country Arts WA manages the program in Western Australia.
http://www.arts.gov.au/arts/regional_arts_fund