Anthony Roberts MP, Shadow Minister for the Arts, congratulates the 155 Groups, Societies, Organisations, Associations and Councils throughout New South Wales, who were successful in securing grants under the 2010 Country Arts Support Program (CASP).

CASP is a key Regional Arts Funding Program for NSW, which provides support to employ artists in locally initiated arts and cultural projects. The aim is to provide access to arts activities for small communities, to encourage communities to work together on cultural projects, to foster cultural diversity in the regions and to ensure that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice. 

“Overall 238 applications were received, with successful grants ranging from $200 to $3000 and totalling over $240,000.

 “These grants will benefit not only the artists of rural NSW, but the communities who were successful in obtaining the funding for projects.”

“Funding such as this also provides greater recognition of the Arts throughout New South Wales.

“This year grants went to a vast range of activities including, The Natty Knitters of Griffith, The Gumbaynggirr Dreaming Dancers from Bellingen, Children Community Choir Worshops in Warren, an Oral History project in Gilgandra and Story Telling Totem Poles in the Northern Rivers.

“The NSW Department of Arts and Regional Arts offers a variety of grants and funding avenues available throughout the year.

“Artists or groups with art projects should contact their closest Regional Arts NSW office or go online to www.regionalartsnsw.com.au to find out about other opportunities” said Mr Roberts.

“The NSW Liberal & Nationals are committed to supporting and growing Arts and culture in Rural and Regional NSW, said Mr Roberts