Artstate launched event in Tamworth

Today at the Tamworth Regional Gallery, Regional Arts NSW launched the event that will be coming to Tamworth 31st October to 3th November, 2019. Artstate Tamworth is the third iteration of a four year program to build on conversations, partnerships and opportunities for regional artists and arts organisations. The four day event in Tamworth will welcome an anticipated 200 arts industry delegates and include a line-up of inspirational speakers alongside a multi-genre arts program showcasing the very best in arts practice from the North West region. 

In launching Artstate Tamworth, The Hon Kevin Anderson, MP Member for Tamworth, announced the NSW Government’s funding support for Artstate Tamworth and its commitment to the arts in regional NSW. 

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said “Artstate is a time to celebrate the very best in regional arts and culture across NSW and I am delighted that this year it is heading to Tamworth. 

Our government is focused on supporting our exceptional regional talent and Artstate is about listening to the sector to work together to achieve the very best outcomes for arts and culture in NSW. 

I can’t think of a better place than the home of country music to celebrate this important summit in its third year – bring on October!”  Initiated following the success of Artlands Dubbo 2016 presented by Regional Arts NSW, the inaugural Artstate was held in Lismore, 2017 and Bathurst last year, where Cr Glenn Inglis, representing Tamworth Regional Council, urged delegates to come to Tamworth in 2019 for a different experience of regional excellence. 

Speaking at the launch today he said he looked forward to welcoming delegates from across the state and the world to show the strength and diversity of arts practice in this region. “Tamworth Regional Council understands that the arts are critical to the future of our city and that Artstate demonstrates this. The arts program is a free event for all the community and I hope local residents will take advantage of this unique opportunity to immerse themselves in this celebration.” 

Chair of Regional Arts NSW, Julie Briggs, welcomed the support of the NSW Government and Tamworth Regional Council and the partnership with Arts North West to deliver Artstate. 

She also announced that the Artstate Tamworth website was now live and to register for the e-news for updates as the program developed over the next few months. “Artstate offers us the opportunity to showcase the vibrant, innovative and creative ways that regional artists express themselves and the regional locations in which they work and live. 

We are all looking forward to joining with everyone from the Tamworth and the broader North West region to immerse ourselves in the conversation and to celebrate the wonderful work being created in this region”. 

Anna Watt, Chair of Arts North West, responded saying “Arts North West is delighted that we are partnering with RANSW to bring this event to Tamworth and showcase some of the incredible work done in our region”. 

The event will have a celebratory public opening ceremony on the evening of Thursday 31 October followed by two days of keynote speakers and panels exploring the themes of On Country – In Country and Arts in the Age of Uncertainty. A number of international keynote speakers will be travelling to Tamworth for Artstate and the call for papers for panels and break out sessions was opened today. 

Dr Greg Pritchard, Arts Program Director, has curated a program for Tamworth that will feature artists from the vast creative diaspora of the region who began their practice in the North West and still maintain a strong connection to the place and a deep relationship with the community. From the exciting opening ceremony directed by Peter Ross, through to the final day, the work and practice of artists from this region will be celebrated across music, dance and visual arts which is free and open to the general public. 

Featured speakers in the conference program will include the recently appointed CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts, Adrian Collette AM and Brad Moggridge, a proud Murri from the Kamilaroi Nation, highly experienced in water and environmental science water management who is currently researching the incorporation of cultural values and perspectives of First Peoples into water planning and environmental water management at the University of Canberra. 

Call for papers now open at www.artstatensw.com.au 

Full program to be released mid-July. 

WHAT: Artstate Tamworth 2019  WHERE: Tamworth (various venues)  WHEN: 31st October – 3th November 2019  MORE INFO at www.artstate.com.au 

Media Enquiries: RANSW: Linda Gao 0431 580 999