Supporting the arts and creative industries of the Mid North Coast

The AMNC programs and grant opportunities were highlighted at this month's Kempsey Shire Council meeting, as part of a report from AMNC board member and Kempsey representative councillor Mark Baxter.

AMNC has been in existence for over ten years and is the peak body for arts and cultural development across the Mid North Coast region. Covering the council areas from Great Lakes up the coast to Bellingen and Coffs Harbour, AMNC aims to provide advice, contacts and project development for artists, the councils and the community.

The AMNC monthly meeting held in Kempsey recently, focussed on several key initiatives such as the Regional Creative Ageing Plan and SmartArt.

The Creative Ageing website provides information to assist those who wish to age creatively, whatever their interest, whatever time of the year. The website lists over 150 clubs and opportunities for residents such as information on art classes and creative groups.

SmartArt seeks to empower the Mid North Coast arts and creative sector to better understand business and become more entrepreneurial, sustainable and digitally savvy. It provides tools and resources about things like business development, use of media, audience development and better marketing.

The meeting also reviewed significant changes to the Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding Program, which has seen multiple funding streams consolidated into just two grant rounds a year. Each funding category now has defined assessment criteria and clear application timeframes. The funding creates opportunities for a wide range of arts and cultural organisations, professional artists and arts/cultural workers. The next round of funding opens on 3 February 2020 and more information is available at www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-funding-program/