The department recognises regional arts development as a priority.
We are committed to improving access to arts and culture and acknowledge the importance of finding new ways to support those who are producing world class work in regional, rural and remote locations.
Eligible regional applicants are encouraged to apply to all funding programs offered by the department however there are a number of programs targeted specifically for regional Western Australia.
Regional audiences were connected with the State’s art collection through the $8 million Regional Exhibition Touring Boost program.
The first exhibition in the Freighting Ideas project was How Did I Get Here? and includes some of the country’s most engaging and accomplished photographic and video artists.
The exhibition began in Katanning and travelled to the following places:
The tour was delivered in partnership by ART ON THE MOVE and AGWA.
Over the next six years, the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost will create more opportunities for regional Western Australians to engage with visual arts by increasing the number of touring exhibitions available to regional audiences.
The Regional Exhibition Touring Boost program will also assess and upgrade regional galleries, offer professional development for gallery staff and artists, and improve gallery education resources and digitised learning programs.
Creating jobs, economic development, tourism and improving social cohesion by supporting the creative and cultural industries in regional Western Australia.
The Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program will deliver almost $20 million over four years to regional WA. Through strategic investments, it will build capacity in the regions and contribute to liveability and vibrancy of regional communities.
This program will deliver on Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity to strengthen economies, create jobs and nurture prosperity in the regions.
The program is delivered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, with Royalties for Regions funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program will be delivered through three streams:
Contributing to an innovative and robust local economy. A State of Creativity will consist of:
Supporting the State’s regional performing arts and entertainment centres.
Supporting performing arts touring into professionally managed venues in WA.
Presenting expanded programs of activity in regional performing arts venues.
Commissioning new performing arts work which is relevant to regional audiences and will be premiered in regional venues.
The State Government is committed to supporting sustainable and ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries in regional and remote Western Australia. In doing so Strengthening Aboriginal Arts will support:
Providing opportunities for Aboriginal artists to share their stories through the development of new, large scale work.
Supporting Aboriginal arts and cultural organisations in business development and capacity building.
Delivering upon the State’s policy driver of supporting vibrant, liveable, sustainable communities that are empowered in their decision making and better connected their communities by:
Incentivising regional local governments to develop creative and cultural plans and activities.
Support for regional artists and organisations.
Improving social inclusion and access to arts and culture in regional WA.
Supporting regional festivals and contributing to cultural tourism.
Increasing participation, capacity and leadership in young people.