A total of 11 Northern Territory arts projects have received nearly $200,000 in funding support through the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund (RAF).

Arts NT administers the program in the Northern Territory and Director Angela Hill congratulated the successful applicants.

The Regional Art Fund prioritises funding for artists and their professional development as well as community arts projects in regional, remote and isolated communities across the Northern Territory. The RAF has an emphasis on building capacity in Indigenous communities.

“Funding will support creative projects across different art forms and regions including Gunbalunya in West Arnhem, Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin,” she said.

The RAF provides employment opportunities for Territory artists, arts workers and arts organisations across all regions of the Territory and contributes to the sustainable cultural, social and economic capacity and well being of communities.

Some of the RAF projects to be supported in 2017 include:

• Kunwinjku - Bundjalung Culture Exchange - $19,971: Artists from Injalak Arts Centre in Gunbalanya will work with Bundjalung artists in natural fibre weaving, fabric design and printing in this exchange project sharing and learning new techniques.  Both groups have recognised expertise in fabric printing and natural fibre dyeing and weaving and this opportunity will enable the Kunwinjku women artists to showcase and develop their professional skills, learn new skills, generate new work and create strong and lasting relationships with other regional Indigenous women and artists.

• The Residency Arts Program - $20,000: Support for 2017 activities from April to November in Alice Springs partnering with a range of community stakeholders and providing employment and showcase opportunities for Alice Springs artists. The Residency Arts Program activities will align with existing community and national initiatives, including National Heritage Week, Eye of The Storm Writer's Festival, National Reconciliation Week, Alice Springs Beanie Festival, NAIDOC Week, Senior’s Month, Annual Spring Flower Show, Desert Song Festival and Mental Health Week.

• Franca Barraclough – The Visitors - $14,992: A team of Alice Springs artists led by Franca Barraclough will develop and shoot her second photographic series in the epic landscapes of Central Australia.

• Caravan - $12,769: Key artistic staff from Tracks Dance and the Grey Panthers will undertake a week long residency in Katherine focusing on inter-generational community engagement and culminating in a performance at Godinmayin Yjards Rivers Arts and Cultural Centre.

The RAF is an Australian Government initiative supporting sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia and supports participation and access to the arts. Regional Arts Australia administers the Australia Government’s RAF Program through Arts NT, the Regional Program Administrator for the Northern Territory.

For further detail on all NT funded arts projects visit www.regionalarts.com.au

Media interview

Arts NT Director Angela Hill 0447 740 186