Around $7 million in grants funding is made available each year by the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) and Royalties for Regions.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said funding and support existed for a wide range of artistic opportunities across Western Australia, and encouraged regional residents, businesses and community groups to research the grants programs.
“Royalties for Regions provides $4 million in arts grants each year through various schemes including the Regional Venues Improvement Fund, the Future Focus for WA Aboriginal Art Centres, and the Regional and Remote Touring Fund,” Mr Waldron said.
“A further $3 million is made available by the Department (DCA) for Creative Development, Commercial Development, Community Engagement, Aboriginal Arts and Scholarship and Fellowship programs.”
Mr Waldron said the grants programs supported a huge range of artistic opportunities, including new exhibitions, regional touring, sponsorship opportunities, and major infrastructure upgrades.
“Grants of up to $15,000 are available year round, while you can find key deadlines for larger grants on the Department (DCA) website,” he said.
Mr Waldron said support for the arts was one of the many ways The Nationals WA and Royalties for Regions are building vibrant and sustainable regional communities.
“Royalties for Regions has made a $24 million commitment to regional culture and the arts from 2015 to 2018, through the Creative Regions program,” he said.
“This funding is giving regional residents more opportunities to access the arts, develop and improve their skills, and bring new and exciting exhibitions and performances to the regions.”
One of the latest grants for the Wagin electorate, through Creative Regions, includes a $19,665 allotment for Narrogin Town Hall, which will be utilised for the installation of sound curtains to improve acoustics. This funding was allocated via the Regional Venues Improvement Fund.
For information on each funding program, including who may apply, assessment criteria and eligible activities, visit http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding/grants-programs