Nearly $7,000 in grants have been announced for Upper Hunter region artists and groups. Executive Director of Arts Upper Hunter, John O’Brien, said that the assessors found their work difficult, as there was a record number of entries. “It was a bit like comparing apples and oranges, too, with organisations up against individuals and businesses. In the end, the assessors were happy to get a good mix of community and career benefits.”
Grants of up to $1000 were available. “The recipients come from every Shire and many artforms,” O’Brien noted, “with workshops, signage, exhibition costs, a kids’ book launch and marketing receiving funding. There was even a successful application to provide labels for Scone Museum’s prickly pear pulping machine.”
Arts Upper Hunter first introduced their Micro Grants during the Covid years. “A lot of people were re-evaluating their needs as creatives,” according to O’Brien. Although they were only planned as a one-off, artists have called out for more.
The full list of successful recipients is:
Agnes Lingane, $535 to run a Japanese marbling workshop in Murrurundi.
Dayarne Smith, $500 towards a solo exhibition for this emerging artist from Muswellbrook Shire.
Dungog Arts Society, $600 for workshops in patchwork and appliqué.
Gresford Community Gallery – $1,000 towards signage and fit-out of this new community space.
Lisa Melichar, $1,000 for a local launch for this Muswellbrook children’s book author.
Murrurundi Arts & Crafts Council, $1,000 to support welding and gelli printing workshops.
Rebecca Towers, $999.98 for marketing and equipment for this emerging artist’s solo exhibition in Clarence Town.
Scone & Upper Hunter Museum, $136 for labelling for intriguing items from the collection.
Singleton Heights Pre-School, $1,000 towards an exhibition of art by a coterie of local pre-schools at the Singleton Civic Centre.
The successful applicants have been quick with their responses: Bec Towers writes, “What a wonderful opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing my exhibition come to life in the beautiful Clarence Town museum space.”
According to Lisa Melichar, whose children’s book launch will receive support: “I am truly delighted. So wonderful! A massive thank you to you and the Board!”
Arts Upper Hunter, the leading arts advocacy organisation in the region, is funded by Create NSW and the LGAs of Dungog, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
Image: Rebecca Towers, Micro Grant recipient, photo by Lee Towers.
