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About us

"Building positive futures for regional, rural and remote
communities in New South Wales though the arts
and cultural development"

What is Regional Arts NSW?

Regional Arts NSW is the peak body for regional arts activity in NSW.

Based in Sydney, it provides a range of services and represents a state-wide network of Regional Arts Boards (RABs) in the key areas of:

• Advocacy
• Capacity building
• Communications
• Support

The Chair and CEO of Regional Arts NSW represent the state on the board of the national body, Regional Arts Australia.

Regional Arts NSW is non-profit organisation with its Board made up of representatives of the Regional Arts Boards (RABs) plus up to five co-opted Directors. It receives funding to deliver its projects from the NSW Government through Arts NSW and the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund.

The Regional Arts Network in NSW

Regional arts development in NSW is decentralised through a network of regional organisations known as the Regional Arts Boards (RABs). Each RAB services an area of the state made up of a group of local government areas. The local councils in each area, together with the State Government, contribute financially to each Board to employ a Regional Arts Development Officer (RADO) and other support staff. This structure enables people who live in the regions to manage their own arts and cultural priorities for their own region. It provides a local voice to tell local stories.

The Regional Arts Network services over 100 local government areas covering more than 662,000 square kilometres, where 1.7 million people live. There are around 1200 local arts and cultural groups.

More information on the Regional Arts Network, including map and contact details for each RAB is on the RA Network section of this website here.

Programs, Projects & Services

RANSW fosters and enhances the capacity of arts and cultural organisations in the regions.

We do this by:

• delivering funding programs and initiatives including the Country Arts Support Program (CASP), Regional Arts Fund (RAF), Quick Response Grants and Prop Ups Grants
• providing advice and assistance
• developing the Network and infrastructure
• providing links to the Network
• delivering professional development and training programs
• providing information services and knowledge development

RANSW plays a leading arts advocacy role.

We do this by:

• consulting with the sector to provide effective representation
• lobbying key arts decision makers
• developing strategic partnerships with other industry sector and government bodies and
• representing regional arts at state and national levels.
• RANSW delivers dynamic communications and marketing programs. We do this by:
• undertaking and supporting research into audience and market development
• producing a range of printed and electronic publications including a monthly e-Bulletin, ArtReach magazine and this website
• providing a single entry point for information about activities, projects and programs across the Network
• promoting the funding programs we administer
• Support media and publicity enquiries
• providing advice and support for communications practices

RANSW delivers a range of arts management support and services.

We do this by:

• providing a range of financial and insurance services including group insurance cover for public liability insurance and volunteers insurance for our affiliates, RABs and local Arts Councils
• assisting with policy development
• providing advice and best practice models for strategic planning and business planning
• developing and streamlining new administrative processes to increase efficiency for use by the Network.