28/09/2022

The Art Factory successful in Country Arts Support Program grant bid

Wagga Wagga’s The Art Factory has been awarded a Country Arts Support Program (CASP) grant worth $3,710 to continue supporting artists with a disability in the region.

The grant will allow The Art Factory to collaborate with Guthrie Collective, a family-run organisation supporting people with disability, to provide participants with creative and meaningful art experiences.

The dedicated project will allow local artists to attend six sessions to learn drawing and printmaking techniques.

The Art Factory’s Coordinator, Leanne Dyer, said the CASP grant allows The Art Factory to provide new local artists exposure to a professional arts practise.

“The Art Factory fosters and advocates for authentic best practice initiatives across art, community, education, disability and health,” Ms Dyer said.

"We’re really excited to be partnering with Guthrie Collective on a project that will allow people who are neurodiverse and with disabilities to develop and create their own individual creative language."

The Art Factory was established by the Riverina Community College (RCC) in 2016. It is based on the International Supported Studio model to increase the visibility of artists with and without disability working together.

RCC has recently become part of The VERTO Group, and its CEO, Ron Maxwell, congratulated The Art Factoryon the all-important community work it provides to the region.

“The Art Factory has been extremely successful since its inception, facilitating professional development and career-building opportunities for artists, both individually and as a collective,” Mr Maxwell said.

"Funding from the CASP Grant allows organisations like The Art Factory to expand its reach, giving artists a platform to explore and celebrate their creative capabilities."

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP)is an annual small grants program funded by Create NSW and managed by Eastern Riverina Arts.