Regional arts organisations across New South Wales have welcomed A$15.4 million in new state funding that will support 62 groups over the next two years, easing fears of closures following last month’s shock rejections from Create NSW’s four-year grants program.
Labor announced last Thursday that Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) will distribute $7.5 million to 31 regional organisations, including 10 galleries.
The remaining funds will be split between Sydney-based organisations and individual arts projects, supporting almost 1,300 artists and workers.
The announcement came after more than half of applicants - 76 of 158 - were rejected for four-year funding in July, leaving many established organisations scrambling to apply for shorter-term support.
With regional galleries’ success rate falling below 18%, concern had grown that the state was shifting financial responsibility onto already stretched local councils.
Dr Tracey Callinan, chief executive of Regional Arts NSW, said she was “very pleased” with the outcome. “This is a really positive response and one that acknowledges that regional arts has great value, but its own challenges too,” she said.
“Not everybody has been funded, but that is the reality of a funding program.”
Some institutions still face uncertainty. Broken Hill City Art Gallery, the oldest in regional NSW, failed to secure either four-year or two-year funding despite requesting $100,000 annually.
“This is a very disappointing outcome for the gallery and a sad day for artists and the industry in the far west in general,” gallery manager Kathryn Graham said.
“We now face the unpleasant task of reviewing our operations and reducing our services in line with the funding shortfall.”
Others, including Wagga Wagga Art Gallery ($110,000 annually), Tamworth Regional Gallery ($85,000), and Maitland Regional Art Gallery ($85,000), did receive support.
The Museums & Galleries of NSW chief executive, Brett Adlington, said his organisation was “delighted” with the outcome but acknowledged challenges remained for those that missed out.
“Perhaps some organisations might need to rethink their plans. But generally we’re very happy and very grateful,” he said.
Among the individual projects funded is a major new work by western Sydney artist Khaled Sabsabi, reinstated as Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale. Create NSW said his “monumental” piece would explore themes of displacement, migration, and multicultural identity.
NSW Arts Minister John Graham described regional organisations as “the big winners” of the revised program, which has dropped annual applications in favour of a biennial system.
“We have heard the message from the sector that they want less paperwork, and less acquittals,” he said. “That is why the move from annual to multi-year funding for so many of these organisations is so welcome.”
