Blacktown Creative Arts Fund backs local arts and culture projects.
On Thursday 14 August, Blacktown City Council awarded $45,000 worth of grant funding to 10 outstanding organisations and artists.
Commencing their projects in Blacktown, each project supports the creative growth and professional artistic and cultural development of local artists, creatives, groups and organisations.
Ranging from podcasts, music, photography, film, dance and creative therapy workshops, many of which supporting First Nations projects and culturally diverse artists and organisations.
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting said, "Seeing the creativity and passion of our local artists as I presented these cheques was truly inspiring. Each project shows the incredible diversity that thrives in Blacktown City, from film and dance to photography and First Nations storytelling. Council is proud to support our local creatives as they develop their skills and share their stories with the wider community.".
Each of the recipients show the depth of creative talent we have in Blacktown City.
Grant funding was awarded to the following artists and organisations:
Babayaan Aboriginal Corporation
Exhibition Mini Documentary
Filming a mini documentary to capture the development of an exhibition and encourage First Nations artists to continue exploring their creative development, confidence, self-esteem, spirituality and cultural knowledge.
Behzad Ansari
Echoes of Rumi in the Strings of Tar
Using traditional Persian composition on the Tar, the project draws from Rumi's poetry and is expressed through live performance, recording, and creative sound exploration.
Emma Depares
Darkroom Diaries: The Sustainable Darkroom
Building a sustainable darkroom and photographic garden to develop their professional practice.
Euphony Xpressions
Creative Journeys: Blacktown Artists in Focus - Mastering Creative Blocks and Achieving Success in the Arts
Audio Visual Podcast showcasing Blacktown's artists, inspiring creatives, and fostering engagement through storytelling, social media, YouTube and an in-person launch.
Luke Agius
The Bad Luck Bunch Trailer
A short proof of concept trailer for a coming of age horror film, about a group of friends that descend into the forest to find their missing friend and the Wirri Wirri Man. The project prioritises First Nations storytelling, cast and crew.
Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency
Future Visions: Artistic Expression for Social Change
A transformative arts program led by local artist Emmanual Asante to empower Mount Druitt youth to create alternative social imaginaries through visual storytelling. Young participants will explore identity, culture, and the future through the workshop program.
Ritika Gilfedder
Monsoon Celebration - A Bollywood dance celebration
A series of Bollywood dance workshops with mothers, children and disability groups. Depicting the joy of the monsoon in South-East Asia, participants will learn a dance routine to Bollywood 'rain' songs.
Samarpana Institute of Dance
Echoes of Home
The project, "Echoes of Home" is a Bharathanatyam dance production which explores home, belonging and displacement through movement, spoken word, and music, culminating in a work-in-progress showing.
Smartfone Flick Fest
Smartphone Filmmaking Masterclass Series + Documentary Shoot
A series of free classes aiming to empower local Blacktown City residents of all ages to learn basic and assessable filmmaking skills and craft a documentary that encapsulate the essence of community life in Western Sydney.
SydWest Multicultural Services
Beyond Words: Art as a Tool for Men's Behaviour Change
A creative therapy program using art to support men's behaviour change, fostering self-reflection, accountability, and emotional expression for healthier relationships and violence-free communities. Led by professional artist and educator, Abdullah M I Syed.
