Arts OutWest has emerged as one of the key winners in Bathurst Regional Council's fourth COVID-19 stimulus package, receiving $10,000 to further support the regional arts industry.
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The package was announced at last Wednesday's council meeting, and also included $34,500 in fee waivers for local sporting groups and $10,000 for the Bathurst District Sport and Recreational Council [BDS&RC].
Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan said the funding will go towards support for regional creatives who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 disruptions.
"It's widely accepted that the arts industry has been badly affected by COVID-19, with individual practitioners hit the hardest," Ms Callinan said.
"This funding gives us discretion about the way we can help creative individuals and organisations recuperate from an incredibly challenging time."
Arts OutWest's core mission is to promote, facilitate, educate and advocate for arts and cultural development for communities of the NSW Central West.
Ms Callinan said the funding follows the organisation's successful micro grants program delivered earlier this year.
"We were able to get 30 grants out across the Central West, which went to a mixture of individuals, businesses and small organisations," she said.
Ms Callinan said Arts OutWest is in the process of developing Culture Maps Central NSW, an interactive website designed to promote cultural tourism.
"With no certainly of when international travel will resume, we understand domestic tourism will be a real area of growth over the coming months," she said.
"The Culture Maps website lists all the cultural assets present in the Central West, including public art displays, galleries, museums, handmade craft businesses and Aboriginal sites."
Arts OutWest is also continuing its internationally award winning arts and health program fostering creativity within the health, aged care and disability sectors.
The organisation services the Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin local government areas.
For more information, visit artsoutwest.org.au.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
