Artists, art workers, and groups can now apply for development grants from local arts organisation Octapod, after they secured $90,000 in funding from Create NSW.

Octapod Chair, Kate Baartz says the arts development grants will have a direct and positive impact for local artists and arts based organisations from the Port Stephens and Cessnock areas.

“We are so excited to announce these grants to support arts development projects in Port Stephens and Cessnock,” she said.

“Applications are open until the end of October and with regional NSW on the cusp of reopening, the timing is perfect to support all kinds of creative pursuits from equipping artists with supplies, supporting organisations to thrive or showcasing a wide range of creative disciplines, through performances, exhibitions and projects.”

Octapod Executive Manager, Lauren Van Katwyk says that while Octapod focuses predominantly on emerging and experimental art, these grants are open to all artforms and creative disciplines including visual art, music, dance, performance, creative poetry, prose, and more.

“This grant is about arts development and so we are hoping to see applications that help strengthen the arts ecosystem in these communities,” Lauren said.

“We’ve intentionally designed the grant criteria and the application process to scaffold emerging groups and individuals.”

Funds of up to $5,000 are available for individuals and $10,000 for groups/ organisations. A total pool of $90,000 is available to support:

• organisation development: examples in costs of obtaining incorporation and/or charitable status, or the development of strategic, business, or fundraising plans.
• group or collective development: examples include costs of studio recording sessions for a band, costs of graphic design, printing, and distribution to produce promotional brochures to promote your group or a group project.
• individual development: examples include the purchase of new equipment such as a new microphone, a printing press or personal website, or costs associated with a new training or development opportunity.
• event and project delivery: examples include the full costs of presenting an artistic project or event in one of the eligible LGAs.

Octapod also secured funding to present free online professional development workshops for artists and arts workers in these regions, which occurred at various dates this month.

Grant applications close midnight 31 October.

IMAGE | Grant applications open for budding artists and projects in Port Stephens and Cessnock.