Groups and organisations in the Parkes shire are being encouraged to enhance their musical, cultural, and artistic endeavours by applying for a Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant.
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The aim of the Council's cultural grants program is to encourage and support the development of local community organisations, services and strategies which make a positive contribution to the community and cultural life of the Shire.
Kerryn Jones, Manager of Cultural, Education and Library Services, acknowledged how important grants like this are to our community.
"Council recognises the importance of a culturally rich and vibrant community, and by fostering the development of skills, talents and abilities at a local level and enhancing cultural facilities and infrastructure, these grants support creative and innovative cultural activity throughout our shire," she said.
"The grants can be utilised in a variety of ways: including developing a new project, extension or enhancement of an existing project, purchase of equipment, or minor capital works," said Kerryn.
Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton expanded on how the grants had led to some important cultural events in the shire.
"The Arts Revival Festival, which commenced in December 2020, showcased a wide variety of artists and artistic mediums from the Parkes Shire," said Cr Newton.
"The aim of the festival was to revive, celebrate and foster artistic activity in our local community, but unfortunately, due to significant storm damage to the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre, the exhibition was closed early.
"During the two weeks the exhibition was open, it had been extremely successful, with almost 400 people in attendance, and the sale of thirteen artworks.
"The festival itself attracted over 600 people to a range of events in the Library and Cultural Centre and Little Theatre," said Cr Newton.
$10,000 has been allocated to this round of Cultural Grants and applications must request a minimum of $2,000 to be eligible for consideration.
In 2020, three community cultural projects were successful in their application for funding, including:
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society - to host an Arts Revival Festival
- Peak Hill Leisure Art & Craft Council - to host a 2-day art workshop
- Parkes Potters Group - to support their 50th Anniversary celebrations.
The Cultural Grants application form is available on Council's website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au or hard copy versions can be requested from your local library or Council's administration centre.
Applications close on Friday, June 4, and successful applications will be announced in July.
The council's grant officer, Erin Dooley, can be contacted at the Parkes Shire Library on 6861 2311 or via email grants@parkes.nsw.gov.au.
