PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Arts North West provides professional development workshops as well as individual advice to arts workers, creatives, councils, businesses and arts and cultural organisations in our region. We can:

• Review funding applications

• Suggest funding sources and opportunities

• Auspice grants

• Provide tips on project management, planning, budgets, partners

• Assist with logistics planning – insurance, branding, business plans

• Advise on promotion and marketing

• Art handling and installation

For more information contact our Executive Director.

Expressions of Interest Open

The BAMM Regional Art Fair (BRAF) celebrates the exceptional talent of artists from across Australia. BRAF invites works across a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, screen, textiles and photography. It provides a platform to showcase the depth of creative practice that thrives in regional communities.

EOIs are invited from professional artists who live or practise in, or are connected to regional Australia. Artists can apply to have their work exhibited salon-style as part of BRAF, one work only per artist. All works exhibited at the Art Fair are for sale.

For more information and the Expression of Interest form, visit the BAMM website,

KEY DATES
Expression of Interest: Now open
Expression of Interest close: 23 August 2025
Artists notified: 1 September 2025

Exhibition Opening: Thursday 25 September 6pm
Exhibition: 26 September–18 October
Where: BAMM Gallery

⭐ Free Mentoring Sessions for Aboriginal Artists and Arts Workers

Elevate Your Creative Practice with Expert Guidance

Are you an Aboriginal Artist or Arts Worker from Regional NSW looking to elevate your practice? Thanks to the support of Create NSW, Outback Arts and Mara Mara we are excited to offer 20 FREE mentoring sessions with Lorrayne Fishenden, valued at $140 each. This unique opportunity is part of the Dhurrali Project, dedicated to empowering and supporting Aboriginal creatives.

About the Mentoring Sessions

These sessions are designed to provide personalised guidance, deep insights into the arts landscape, and strategic advice to help you grow and succeed in your creative endeavors. Each participant can benefit from up to three sessions, ensuring a tailored and impactful experience.

Meet Your Mentor: Lorrayne Fishenden

Lorrayne Fishenden is a well known leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in community development, Aboriginal arts advocacy, and business management. Lorrayne has been a pivotal advocate for Aboriginal artists and communities across regional NSW. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to cultural development make her an inspiring mentor for this program.

What's Included

Each free mentoring session includes:

• Personalised guidance and support from Lorrayne Fishenden

• Insights into the Aboriginal arts landscape

• Strategies for growth and recognition in your field

• Expert advice on sustainable business practices

How to Book

Use this link https://LorrayneFishenden2Rivers.as.me/?appointmentType=65864844 to schedule a time. Don’t forget to fill in the quick questionnaire that will help Lorrayne prepare for your meeting. Remember, spots are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to take your art to new heights!

Important Information

• Each session is valued at $140

• Up to 3 sessions per participant

• Limited to 20 sessions total

Join us in this exciting initiative to celebrate Aboriginal voices, cultivate creativity, and build a vibrant community of artists committed to sharing their stories with the world.

Apply now and embark on a transformative creative journey!

⭐ Business Connect – Free business support for Creative Industries

Did you know Service NSW Business Connect offers free, independent, tailored business advice for NSW businesses (including sole traders with an ABN)? Business Connect advisors, including specialist creative experts can provide you up to 8 hours of free, tailored business advice in one-on-one sessions more.

Current Creative opportunities

⭐ The Curlew Regional Writers Grant 2025

Supporting a regional writer to grow, connect, and create

Supported by Brittany Riley, this grant offers regional NSW writers the chance to participate in a Writing NSW one-day workshop of their choice, with the aim of increasing access to professional development for writers living outside Sydney. The $1,000 grant is open to writers based at least 200km from Sydney and is designed to cover the cost of course enrolment, as well as contribute to travel and accommodation expenses.

Writing NSW will enrol the successful applicant into their chosen course from our wide range of one-day workshops. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, explore a new genre, or gain insights into the business of writing, our courses offer practical guidance from leading writers and industry professionals. You can view the range of eligible workshops here.

As part of the prize, the recipient will also be offered a dedicated week-long residency in our peaceful writers’ studio, located in the historic Writing NSW building at Callan Park. This light-filled space provides a quiet, inspiring environment for focused creative work and time to build on what you’ve learned.

This opportunity is designed to support a regional writer who would benefit from both the learning and connection a Writing NSW course can offer.

Entries close at midnight on 27 July 2025.

Apply now

⭐ AIM Talent Awards

The AIM Talent Awards is an annual talent contest organized by the AIM Association, designed to celebrate and promote multicultural talent from around Australia. This dynamic event seeks to uncover and showcase the diverse skills and creativity of performers from various cultural backgrounds, offering them a platform to gain exposure and public opportunities.

The contest is open to individuals and groups of all ages, presenting a wide array of talents including singing, dancing, instrumental performances, comedy, and other unique acts that highlight cultural heritage. Participants go through several rounds of auditions, with the most exceptional talents advancing to the final stages of the competition.

Throughout the contest, a panel of esteemed judges, composed of industry professionals and cultural icons, evaluates the performances based on criteria such as originality, skill, and cultural representation. The audience also plays a crucial role, with opportunities to vote for their favourite acts, adding to the excitement and engagement of the event.

Winners of the AIM Talent Awards receive not only prestigious trophies and recognition but also significant opportunities to perform at high-profile events, collaborate with renowned artists, and gain media coverage. The contest aims to empower multicultural talents, fostering a sense of pride and unity through the celebration of diverse cultural expressions.

APPLY NOW >>>

⭐ Copyright agency fellowships

The Copyright Agency offers Fellowships for Australian writers to create significant new works.

Year-long Fellowships are intrinsically important to Australian creative writers as it buys them time to create new work.

Two $80,000 Fellowships are available for Australian writers who have achieved some success and critical acclaim with their writing and who have a publisher interested in publishing the intended work.

Author Fellowship

The Copyright Agency’s Author Fellowship will support an established Australian author to create a new work for publication.

One Fellowship will be awarded each year.

Amount of grant: $80,000

Closes: 1pm AEST 18 August 2025

Fellowship for Non-Fiction writing

The Copyright Agency’s Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing will support a mid-career or established Australian author to create a new work of creative non-fiction for publication.

One Fellowship will be awarded each year.

Amount of grant: $80,000

Closes:  1pm AEST 18 August 2025

FRANK MOORHOUSE FELLOWSHIP FOR YOUNG WRITERS

The Copyright Agency Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers will support a writer aged 18-35 years to develop and write a new work of fiction.

One Fellowship will be awarded each year.

Amount of grant: $10,000

Closes: 1pm AEST 23 June 2025

READING AUSTRALIA FELLOWSHIP

The Copyright Agency’s Reading Australia Fellowship for Teachers of English and Literacy will support an experienced teacher or teacher librarian to undertake professional skills development and career-enhancing opportunities.

One Fellowship will be awarded each year.

Amount of grant: $15,000

Closes: 1pm AEST Mon 5 May 2025

⭐ 2025 Sculpture Acquisition Prize - Ceramic break sculpture park

An acquisition prize of $12,000.00

The winning sculpture will form part of the permanent display at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park. The Park offers guests an art experience with a difference in rural NSW. The goal of the contest is to diversify the park’s collection.

Apply now >>>

⭐ Screen NSW - Charlie’s Working Space, LA!

Screen NSW, in partnership with Australians in Film (AiF), offers NSW screen practitioners the opportunity to secure access to a dedicated co-working space at Charlie's in Los Angeles. The one free creative workspace is available for NSW based screen practitioners visiting LA to conduct business, collaborate, and network.

Successful applicants to Charlie’s will receive access to:

• One desk and a writers' room with whiteboards and screens

• Wi-Fi

• An equipped kitchen

• AiF staff.

Charlie’s is located in the Writer’s Building at The Lot Studios in West Hollywood.

⭐ Screen Australia – Industry Partnerships

This program aims to create opportunities through new, original and inclusive approaches to the industry that will expand networks and grow the Australian industry. Screen Australia will consider funding a portion of a total activity budget up to a cap of $30,000 per activity/activities conducted by an organization over the financial year. 

⭐ Screen Australia – International Marketing Support: Festivals and Awards

This program aims to support the promotion of Australian content and talent at the key international festivals and awards events, enabling the enhancement of international marketing strategies in conjunction with other partners. Screen Australia will contribute to the promotional budget for eligible events generally up to $20,000 for feature films and television series and $10,000 for short films. The level of funding will be determined by a film’s individual international marketing strategy as evidenced by a comprehensive plan and budget, produced by either the sales agent or producer. Festival screenings must be the title’s world or international premiere.

⭐ Screen Australia – Distribution Support: P&A Plus

This program aims to enhance the distribution and marketing of quality Australian films across traditional and alternative release platforms. Funding can be sought to support the traditional theatrical ANZ release of completed feature films that have an established local distributor attached, or for alternative release campaigns in certain circumstances

⭐ Screen Australia – First Nations Program: Sector Development (Internships)

This program aims to assist the career development of talented screen content makers who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the film industry. Internships assist practitioners whose careers would benefit from an attachment to a person, production or organisation. This program is designed to assist the career development of talented filmmakers who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the film industry. This is not an entry-level scheme. An internship may take many forms and involve features, documentaries, animation, interactive digital media, TV drama or comedy series

Current ARTS Employment & Voluteering Opportunities