Support for WA artists through $1.5 million COVID support program
May 25, 2020, 11:56 AM
The State Government has approved a $1.5 million support package, developed by the Art Gallery of Western Australia's Board and the Art Gallery's Foundation, to help Western Australian artists during the COVID-19 emergency.
Under the initiative, all living Western Australian artists represented in the State Art Collection will receive $2,000 towards creating an online State Art Collection archive.
In addition, independent and art centre-based Aboriginal artists will share up to $525,000 through a targeted acquisition program to purchase existing works from up to 15 independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and from 25 Aboriginal
art centres.
In total, more than 400 Western Australian artists will directly benefit from the initiative, injecting up to $1.5 million into the arts sector economy.
WA artists who receive the $2000 will use the funding to generate archival content focusing on expanding artist bios, artist statements and extended insights into artistic practice.
The purchasing of Aboriginal artworks for the State Art Collection through the Aboriginal Art Centres, will both support the artists involved and their local community.
The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is working with the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia (AACHWA) to ensure both small and large art centres are represented in the program.
The initiative will begin immediately.
Read the full media statement.
Image: Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt and AGWA Foundation Chair, Warwick Hemsley at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
Artwork credit:
Spinifex Mens Collaborative: Simon Hogan, Fred Grant, Patju Presley, Lawrence Pennington, Ned Grant, Roy Underwood, Ian Rictor, Byron Brookes, Noley Rictor
Ngura Alinytjara 2017
synthetic polymer paint on linen
State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia
Purchased through the Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation: TomorrowFund, 2018
© Spinifex Mens Collaborative / Copyright Agency.