EMERGING artists and arts workers living in regional WA have just days left to apply for a grant that could help them kick start a career in the arts or further their employment opportunities.
The Next Level YCulture Regional arts program provides up to four grants a year, valued at up to $5000, for artists and arts workers aged between 18-26 to support professional development projects.
Designed to help build networks, increase skills and grow exposure, the grants have helped open doors for young people passionate about working in the arts.
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READ NOWLast year’s recipients included aspiring visual and performances artists such as Mandurah-based Ruby Liddelow, an emerging theatre maker who described the experiences as a “massive confidence boost”.
Ms Liddelow, who has been working and volunteering in the arts sector for the past six years, secured a four-week internship at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney.
“I love living in Mandurah but in a smaller town you can feel a career in arts isn’t viable because its not a big sector – there just aren’t enough jobs available so the real challenge is gaining skills and feeling the confidence to do things yourself,” she said.
“I was so inspired while I was in Sydney meeting people, building my skills and gaining new experiences that I started formulating new project ideas immediately and now I’m working on bringing them to life.”
The 23-year-old believes individually focused grant schemes like Next Level YCulture Regional – which can be used to fund expenses such as art materials, accommodation, travel and insurance costs, marketing and venue hire – offer enormous value to young artists looking to build a career for themselves in their home towns and would like to encourage others to apply for this year’s round of funding.
Applications will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday, August 3 and are open to any young person living in regional WA seeking to develop their careers in any form of the arts.
Successful applicants will also have the chance to attend Artlands, a Regional Arts event in Bendigo and Castlemaine in October with attendance costs covered as part of the program.
Visit www.countryartswa.asn.au/nextlevel, contact an investment officer at Country Arts WA on 1800 811 883, or email info@countryartswa.asn.au