Forrests' foundation tips $3.3 million into WA's regional arts sector
Regional Arts WA chief executive Dr Pilar Kasat described the partnership with Minderoo as a pivotal moment.
'Minderoo has been supporting Regional Arts WA since 2019. But this takes the investment to a whole other level,' Kasat said.
'It is a ten-fold increase on anything that has gone before. It is a game-changer for us.
'This is the beginning of something much bigger and an open invitation for others to help shape and strengthen the future impact of the regional arts sector.
'This money will be used in a very strategic way to enable all those organisations in the Regional Arts Network to source funds locally and obtain further funds from the state and federal governments.'
Kasat believed one of the major problems for regional arts organisations was the fragmented nature of funding.
Each time an organisation plans a program they have to apply to a range of bodies at a federal, state and local council level as well as approach philanthropic organisations such as Minderoo.
'The subsidised sector is extremely grateful for the support we receive. But it is a problem when so many resources are consumed in applying for that funding. There has to be a better way of supporting regional organisations,' Kasat said.
'One of our aims with the Minderoo partnership is to pilot what we are calling the Creative Collaboration Fund. Hopefully, we will be able to streamline the process of applying for funding and open up new avenues for support.'
Kasat said another major problem facing organisations such as Regional Arts WA was that investment typically does did cover the cost of running the company or administering the projects.
'In the Pay It What It Takes report published in 2022, Social Ventures Australia came up with a figure saying that any not-for-profit organisation needs to put aside 25 to 30 per cent of the total amount of funding to cover your own costs so you are not depleting your own organisation,' Kasat said.
'This is why the Minderoo partnership is so important. Over 70 per cent of the resources will be directed to 20 organisations who are part of the Regional Arts Network and their communities while less than 30 per cent will come to Regional Arts WA to deliver this project and continue our advocacy.'
The partnership with Minderoo also means they are backing the vision of Thrive!, an investment framework Kasat and her team spent many months evolving.
Kasat believed supporting regional arts had never been more important because of the challenges faced by those who lived outside the metropolitan area, including higher rates of mental health issues.
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She also believed it was important to challenge the notion that art produced in the regions was not as significant as art produced in the city.
And in some aspects of the arts, such as a work having a sense of place, rural artists excel even more than those in the city.
'Not everyone wants to exhibit, for example, but everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art,' she said.
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West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
Three-year $3.3m Minderoo and Regional Arts partnership to benefit Mid West and Gascoyne creative groups
A new $3.3 million partnership between the Minderoo Foundation and Regional Arts WA is set to inject vital support into regional arts, with three Mid West and Gascoyne organisations among the first to benefit. Announced on Tuesday, the three-year collaboration will support the delivery of Regional WA's Thrive! Arts, Culture and Creativity Investment Framework 2025-2029, a Statewide strategy to strengthen local arts organisations, boost community engagement and build a more resilient creative sector. 'This strategic partnership represents a pivotal moment for regional arts in Western Australia,' said Pilar Kasat, CEO of Regional Arts WA. 'Minderoo Foundation's investment is a timely and powerful endorsement of sustained, place-based arts development that supports the people, skills, and creative capacity that underpin vibrant regional communities.' The partnership builds on a collaboration that began in 2019 with the establishment of the Regional Arts Network, and will continue to support a Statewide group of 20 not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations — including Yamaji Art and North Midlands Project in the Mid West, and Creality in the Gascoyne. 'We believe in the transformative power of the arts to connect, inspire, and uplift communities, especially in regional Western Australia,' Minderoo Foundation co-chair Nicola Forrest said. 'Through Thrive, Minderoo is proud to support a strategy that will expand access, deepen participation, and ensure that regional voices continue to shape the cultural landscape of our state.' The Regional Arts Network currently reaches 44 local government areas, generating over $19 million in annual turnover, employing more than 200 creative workers and 1200 artists, and engaging more than 2000 volunteers each year. 'Minderoo Foundation is backing the Thrive Framework to help build more vibrant and connected communities across regional Western Australia,' Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman said. 'This partnership is about strategically aligning resources and amplifying impact to give the regional arts sector and artists the long-term support they need to thrive.' More than 70 per cent of the funding will go towards industry connection, capacity-building, and a new creative collaboration fund designed to accelerate impact across the regions. Representatives from the network expressed their eagerness for the partnership. 'The Regional Arts Network knows first-hand that the arts contribute to community vibrancy, local job creation, and wellbeing,' they said. 'This funding ensures that we will strengthen our capacity of 20 organisations across the State and build long-term sustainability for creatives who are the cultural backbone of our communities.'
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Forrests' foundation tips $3.3 million into WA's regional arts sector
'This partnership is about strategically aligning resources and amplifying impact to give the regional arts sector and artists the long-term support they need to thrive,' Hartman said. Regional Arts WA chief executive Dr Pilar Kasat described the partnership with Minderoo as a pivotal moment. 'Minderoo has been supporting Regional Arts WA since 2019. But this takes the investment to a whole other level,' Kasat said. 'It is a ten-fold increase on anything that has gone before. It is a game-changer for us. 'This is the beginning of something much bigger and an open invitation for others to help shape and strengthen the future impact of the regional arts sector. 'This money will be used in a very strategic way to enable all those organisations in the Regional Arts Network to source funds locally and obtain further funds from the state and federal governments.' Kasat believed one of the major problems for regional arts organisations was the fragmented nature of funding. Each time an organisation plans a program they have to apply to a range of bodies at a federal, state and local council level as well as approach philanthropic organisations such as Minderoo. 'The subsidised sector is extremely grateful for the support we receive. But it is a problem when so many resources are consumed in applying for that funding. There has to be a better way of supporting regional organisations,' Kasat said. 'One of our aims with the Minderoo partnership is to pilot what we are calling the Creative Collaboration Fund. Hopefully, we will be able to streamline the process of applying for funding and open up new avenues for support.' Kasat said another major problem facing organisations such as Regional Arts WA was that investment typically does did cover the cost of running the company or administering the projects. 'In the Pay It What It Takes report published in 2022, Social Ventures Australia came up with a figure saying that any not-for-profit organisation needs to put aside 25 to 30 per cent of the total amount of funding to cover your own costs so you are not depleting your own organisation,' Kasat said. 'This is why the Minderoo partnership is so important. Over 70 per cent of the resources will be directed to 20 organisations who are part of the Regional Arts Network and their communities while less than 30 per cent will come to Regional Arts WA to deliver this project and continue our advocacy.' The partnership with Minderoo also means they are backing the vision of Thrive!, an investment framework Kasat and her team spent many months evolving. Kasat believed supporting regional arts had never been more important because of the challenges faced by those who lived outside the metropolitan area, including higher rates of mental health issues. Loading She also believed it was important to challenge the notion that art produced in the regions was not as significant as art produced in the city. And in some aspects of the arts, such as a work having a sense of place, rural artists excel even more than those in the city. 'Not everyone wants to exhibit, for example, but everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art,' she said.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
Forrests' foundation tips $3.3 million into WA's regional arts sector
'This partnership is about strategically aligning resources and amplifying impact to give the regional arts sector and artists the long-term support they need to thrive,' Hartman said. Regional Arts WA chief executive Dr Pilar Kasat described the partnership with Minderoo as a pivotal moment. 'Minderoo has been supporting Regional Arts WA since 2019. But this takes the investment to a whole other level,' Kasat said. 'It is a ten-fold increase on anything that has gone before. It is a game-changer for us. 'This is the beginning of something much bigger and an open invitation for others to help shape and strengthen the future impact of the regional arts sector. 'This money will be used in a very strategic way to enable all those organisations in the Regional Arts Network to source funds locally and obtain further funds from the state and federal governments.' Kasat believed one of the major problems for regional arts organisations was the fragmented nature of funding. Each time an organisation plans a program they have to apply to a range of bodies at a federal, state and local council level as well as approach philanthropic organisations such as Minderoo. 'The subsidised sector is extremely grateful for the support we receive. But it is a problem when so many resources are consumed in applying for that funding. There has to be a better way of supporting regional organisations,' Kasat said. 'One of our aims with the Minderoo partnership is to pilot what we are calling the Creative Collaboration Fund. Hopefully, we will be able to streamline the process of applying for funding and open up new avenues for support.' Kasat said another major problem facing organisations such as Regional Arts WA was that investment typically does did cover the cost of running the company or administering the projects. 'In the Pay It What It Takes report published in 2022, Social Ventures Australia came up with a figure saying that any not-for-profit organisation needs to put aside 25 to 30 per cent of the total amount of funding to cover your own costs so you are not depleting your own organisation,' Kasat said. 'This is why the Minderoo partnership is so important. Over 70 per cent of the resources will be directed to 20 organisations who are part of the Regional Arts Network and their communities while less than 30 per cent will come to Regional Arts WA to deliver this project and continue our advocacy.' The partnership with Minderoo also means they are backing the vision of Thrive!, an investment framework Kasat and her team spent many months evolving. Kasat believed supporting regional arts had never been more important because of the challenges faced by those who lived outside the metropolitan area, including higher rates of mental health issues. Loading She also believed it was important to challenge the notion that art produced in the regions was not as significant as art produced in the city. And in some aspects of the arts, such as a work having a sense of place, rural artists excel even more than those in the city. 'Not everyone wants to exhibit, for example, but everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art,' she said.
