Community Grants Program 2024-25: Round 2 is Opening for Applications
Published on 23 September 2024
Bellingen Shire Council is excited to announce that Round 2 of the Community Grants Program 2024-25 is officially open, offering local groups, creatives, and organisations an opportunity to bring their community project ideas to life. Whether it’s through vibrant public art, community support initiatives, or local events, the funding aims to foster creativity, connectedness, and cultural engagement throughout the Shire.
Available Funding Categories for Round 2
There are three funding categories available to support a range of community-driven projects:
- Creative Placemaking Fund: Designed to ignite participation and cultural engagement, this fund supports art projects that enhance public spaces.
- Community Support Fund: This fund backs initiatives that strengthen local connections and benefit the community.
- Community Event Sponsorship Fund: Supporting local events, this fund celebrates the vibrant spirit of the Shire through a range of community gatherings
Our Community Development Officer will be hosting drop-in sessions at each of the Shire Libraries to offer guidance and support for your application. This is a great opportunity to discuss your ideas and get expert advice to enhance your chances of success.
Library Drop-In Session Schedule:
- Bellingen Library: 2 October, 10am -12pm
- Dorrigo Library: 3 October, 10 am – 12 pm
- Urunga Library: 4 October, 10am -12pm
We highly recommend seeking advice before applying to gain a clear understanding of the expectations and how to strengthen your application. If you're unable to attend any of the drop-in sessions, the Community Development Officer is available for assistance during business hours, Wednesday to Friday, on 6655 7300.
In May this year Council awarded a total of $29,446 for Round 1 of funding across these 3 categories investing in 11 diverse projects that will bring workshops, community events, training equipment and minor structural improvements to community spaces. The impact of this funding has been felt far and wide, with local initiatives contributing to the vibrancy and connectedness of our communities.
Linda Coomber, from The Art Space, which received funding through the Creative Placemaking Fund for the "Brush Strokes" exhibition, highlighted the importance of the grant to their project:
“The Art Space has been so appreciative of the grant we received. As a not-for-profit community gallery, we would not have been able to fund a project like this ourselves. We are fortunate that our Council fosters a creative and dynamic community. Brush Strokes has transformed the exterior of The Art Space into a dynamic outdoor gallery, actively contributing to the revitalisation of the Urunga CBD.”
With public art applications low in Round 1, Council encourages more public art submissions in Round 2 to continue building on this momentum and creating spaces that inspire and connect the community.
The Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, set to take place next month, is among the successful recipients of the Community Event Sponsorship Fund in Round 1. This funding contributes to sustaining the vibrant 3-day festival, which showcases a rich mix of local, national, and international acoustic folk, bluegrass, and old-time music on the plateau.
“The grant has enabled us to continue using the showgrounds as our festival venue, benefiting the local community with a cultural experience that welcomes collaborations and brings increased visitation,” explained Beth Henwood of the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. “This community funding contributes to our commitment to continue the festival under increasingly challenging times for the arts and cultural sector”.
Other successful grant recipients from Round 1 include the Taranta Festival, taking place on the first weekend in November, and the Bellingen Youth Orchestra's free performances of Peter and the Wolf: Orchestral Magic for Young Hearts on 10 November 2024. The Bellingen Shire Arts Trail Weekend will be held on 23-24 November 2024, where local artists and performers open their studios, galleries, and shops to coincide with the Australian Ceramics Open Studio Weekend. Additionally, the Purple Card Project will host a series of workshops promoting textile and waste upcycling for a Conscious Christmas on the Dorrigo Plateau over the first two weeks of December giving the community plenty of events to participate in or engage with before the end of the year.
Mayor Cr. Steve Allan stated, "The Community Grants Program is one of the ways our Council can support the arts in our Shire. It's always inspiring to hear the community's vision for the creative landscape here, and I'm pleased we can provide some backing. We recognise the vital role that creativity plays in bringing people together and enriching our community."
If you have an idea that can enrich our community and contribute to a creative and connected Bellingen, now is your chance to apply. For more details and to submit your application, visit:
https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-Funding/Community-Grants-Program
Applications for Round 2 close on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.