Grants of up to $3000 for Musicians and Creatives in Lake Macquarie

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Lake Macquarie City Council is providing grants of to $3000 for local musicians and creatives as part of their Creative Industry Seed Grants program.

Four categories of funding are available under the program.

Five emerging musicians each year, over the age of 12, are eligible for grants of up to $500 to help with development and support of emerging musicians from Lake Macquarie.

“This could be used to create or deliver original performance works, upgrade instruments, make recordings or participate in gigs,” Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism, Jacqui Hemsley said.

Five $1000 grants will be awarded for projects covering art exhibitions and installations, theatre performances, literature, multimedia or film.

Ms Hemsley said Council was also offering five $500 grants for people to develop their professional creative skills through workshops, courses and other means.

“We’re also offering two $2500 grants each year for research and development into creative pursuits, whether it’s developing a script or publication, or preparing a business case for large-scale arts activities in Lake Mac,” Ms Hemsley said.

The new Lake Macquarie City Council Creative Industry Seed Grants program will provide a total $15,000 a year to emerging artists and musicians as part of its commitment to growing Lake Mac’s creative sector and supporting the creative economy.

“We’re urging talented applicants and emerging creatives to apply, to help them develop their own creative practice, profession or cultural pursuit,” Ms Hemsley said.

Applications close 5pm, 31 March, with funds distributed in June for projects in the 2021-22 financial year.

Information sessions on the new program will be held 5.30-6.30pm on Monday 9 March at Toronto Library, and 5.30-6.30pm on Thursday 19 March at Belmont Library.

Hunter Valley wildlife artist campaigning for those who can't

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Internationally acclaimed Hunter Valley wildlife artist Natalie Jane Parker is sharing her passion for Australia's most endangered species with the launch of her new book.

Australia's Endangered Animals aims to increase awareness of our most vulnerable species - the sad fact being many of them won't be around for younger generations to see.

Natalie's book features her stunning original paintings alongside interesting facts and figures.

“This beautiful book introduces some of Australia’s endangered animals. It aims to increase awareness of their and other animals’ plight and in turn help create greater respect and care for their habitats and environment. There is a natural, delicate balance that is disrupted when problems such as habitat destruction, disease and introduced predators push an increasing number of animals towards extinction. Disruption to this balance eventually threatens all forms of life, including human life.”

Natalie is spoilt for inspiration, residing on 50 acres in the Hunter Valley surrounded by beautiful Australian wildlife and the demand for her work continues to increase exponentially year after year. 

Natalie says being involved in this book has re-ignited her keenness to promote Australia's animals and their environment.

"I don't think there's a lot of hard copy books out there for the younger generations that need to know and learn about our endangered species. Its a nice copy for schools to get hold of, libraries to get hold of, so kids can read and learn about the different animals."

Natalie will launch her book at Morpeth Gallery tomorrow along with an exhibition running until Sunday.

For more info head to Morpeth Gallery's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/morpethgallery/