From July 2025 to June 2026, Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) delivered the project RALLY: Rural Arts-Led Regeneration, aimed at fuelling regeneration in rural towns by championing creativity, collaboration, and community leadership. RANSW and Alex Wisser (co-founder of Cementa Festival) collaborated to produce RALLY because we believe that the arts play a crucial role in enlivening rural communities.
The program had several components, all aimed at nurturing the rural regeneration work already happening in regional NSW. This included:
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Partnering with five rural centres (Broken Hill, Deniliquin, Ganmain, Harden-Murrumburrah, and Manilla) to support their established regeneration initiatives.
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Connecting other creatives across the state through the Rural Innovators program, which provided online professional development and networking opportunities.
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Supporting regional designers with the opportunity to learn from the Design Business Council.
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A 2-day in-person event, The RALLY Assembly, where the Rural Innovators, our partners from the five rural centres, and other members of our regional arts network met to learn from experts, share their practice and generate new ideas to help regional towns become more vibrant and active places.
The Rural Centres
We partnered with organisations, galleries and artists from Broken Hill, Deniliquin, Ganmain, Harden-Murrumburrah, and Manilla to provide targeted support for their established regeneration initiatives.
In each town, we held direct, in-person workshops, delivered by RANSW CEO Dr Tracey Callinan and Alex Wisser. These workshops involved meeting with the local arts community to discuss the ways the arts help their region thrive, and how they can expand these regeneration initiatives going forward. Each centre has their own unique challenges and approaches, and these workshops were tailored to meet their specific needs.
BROKEN HILL
Broken Hill is a historic mining city in far western NSW known as “The Silver City” for its rich deposits of silver, lead, and zinc ores. For RALLY, we partnered with Slag Heap Projects, an artist-run initiative that provides the creative community with professional development, vital curatorial support, sustainable financial models and cross-community dialogue.
We held our workshop with them on 12th September 2025 and were joined by the staff of Slag Heap Projects, West Darling Arts, other local creatives and artists completing a residency at the Broken Hill Arts Exchange.
Hester Lyon, Co-Director of Slag Heap Projects, reflected on this experience at the time stating, “We’ve been speaking today at the RALLY workshop about the specificities of Broken Hill and the insular nature that breeds this culture where many different people have to interact, and art is a medium to explore and ignite that interaction in small ways. At the moment there’s many artists that call this place home and they’re interested in maintaining a creative life as a way of connecting this community.”
Local artists at the workshop found the opportunity to connect with each other the most valuable part of it. One artist said, “It has been so good to spend time together and hear other people because in our everyday life we just keep going and going and working and this workshop actually provided a time and space to reflect together.”
DENILIQUIN
Deniliquin is a rural service town in the Riverina region of southern NSW celebrated for its rich agricultural heritage, especially rice, wool, and livestock production. For RALLY, we are partnered with local artist Ginny Reid and South West Arts, who provide support to local creatives.
We held our workshop with them on the 14th November 2025. South West Arts said, “The program has provided valuable networking, a strong framework for thinking about arts-led regeneration, and practical support to progress a genuinely multi-partner, cross-agency project in our region.”
They also received a $5000 bursary to support a project that promotes rural regeneration. This funded a First Nations-led video projection mapping event to take place on 27th – 30th September 2026 at the MultiArts Centre in Deniliquin. The project, called “Lighting-up Culture”, brings together First Nations artists and community participants over two workshop days to develop original video content exploring the connection between light, art and Country, before mapping and projecting the work onto the MultiArts Centre building for a public evening performance. It supports rural regeneration in Deniliquin by activating public spaces, building local skills, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, elevating First Nations voice and visibility and leaving a legacy asset for the community.
GANMAIN
Ganmain is located in the Riverina region of NSW and is celebrated for its close-knit community and enduring country traditions. For RALLY, we partnered with Lush Creative Galleries, which offers gallery space and workshops to local residents and is founded by artist Linda Nolan.
We held our workshop on the 13th March 2026. Linda Nolan said the workshop was, “… very informative and motivational. It helped us see we can achieve what we need in our community with the community supporting us.”
They also received a $5000 bursary to support a project that promotes rural regeneration. This will fund regular workshops run by artists outside the region at Lush Creative Galleries. Linda’s goal is to, “…regenerate our little town with fresh eyes from outside influences, to help us strengthen and grow in awareness for the arts and its benefits to grow our community.”
Reflecting on the project as a whole, Linda said, ” RALLY is and was a huge help for me being a participant. The little gallery in Ganmain has now grown stronger because of it. I personally have gained skills and confidence with the support of Tracey and Alex, both incredible advocates for the arts! I am very grateful that they both understand the challenges of regional artists and galleries.”
HARDEN-MURRUMBURRAH
Harden-Murrumburrah are twin, historic rural service towns in the South West Slopes region of NSW known for their rich agricultural tradition and role as a railway and service centre. The area is currently facing challenges due to population decline and lack of cultural infrastructure. For RALLY, we partnered with Third Place Studio, founded by Eliza Wells, with a mission to create a place for creativity and community to come together to support change.
We held our workshop with them on the 1st December 2025. Eliza said, “The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to develop an understanding of the potential for arts-led revitalisation. It encouraged local leaders to consider how small-scale cultural activity could contribute to our much-needed social, economic, and physical renewal. And to think practically (and ambitiously) about what arts-led rural regeneration could look like locally. I am now working with many people who attended the workshop, to both support Third Place Studio projects but also to strengthen the capacity of their organisations. Some of the attendees are part of an ongoing, informal ‘collective’ that we have called Community & Arts Harden-Murrumburrah (CAHM) and we meet for dinners to discuss our ideas and develop strategies.”
They also received a $5000 bursary to support a project that promotes rural regeneration. This funded the ongoing development of Third Place Studio. The studio tests how small-scale, locally embedded cultural activity can support artists, increase participation, strengthen community connection, and contribute to rural regeneration. Funding is also supporting the re-establishment of Third Place Studio artist accommodation. Pre COVID-19, the space hosted more than 200 artists, writers, filmmakers, and cultural practitioners. The renewed space will provide affordable accommodation, project support, mentoring, local connections, and opportunities for visiting artists to contribute to community activities.
MANILLA
Manilla is a rural town in the New England region of NSW, known for its scenic landscapes and strong agricultural roots, particularly in beef cattle and cropping. For RALLY, we partnered with Tamworth Regional Gallery and the Renewable Manilla Festival, led by Emma Stilts.
We held our workshop with them 26th June 2026. Emma said that the workshop enabled ‘expansive thinking’ and helped them consider how the arts relates to local economies and should be considered economic infrastructure. It also provided many ideas for rural regeneration, including a new farmer / artist collaboration called ‘FART’, where local artists visit farms and produce artworks in response.
They also received a $5000 bursary to support a project that promotes rural regeneration. This funding used to help deliver the 2027 Renewable Manilla Festival. This event promotes Manilla’s local community, local farmers, scientists and artists. It includes the 100 Mile Dinner, an annual dinner that serves local produce and celebrates community and creativity.
Emma also reported that RALLY, “…provided inspiration and practical advice for regional places to enhance their liveability and creativity.”
The RALLY Rural Innovators
RALLY Rural Innovators was a free program that aimed to support rural communities with professional development and resources to help them start or develop existing arts-led regeneration projects. Regional artists and arts organisations were invited to join the free program, which granted them access to:
- Online workshop and networking sessions, with input from industry professionals and dedicated time to network and discuss ideas with other participants.
- An online portal to connect the Rural Innovators network.
- An invitation to attend the RALLY Regeneration Forum in Kandos, April 2026, and apply for a travel bursary to attend.
RALLY Rural Innovators had 70 members from across regional NSW. They reported that the networking opportunities were the most valuable part of the program. The Rural Innovators are continuing to meet on a bi-monthly basis online and we look forward to continuing to meet with them and seeing how their regeneration initiatives develop.
Isolation can be a creative killer. RALLY has helped me forge connections with other regional artists helping to keep my creative flame burning brightly.
I didn’t know how important these networking sessions are until I attended them – real artists and arts workers sharing their stories, successes and challenges. These sessions helped me realise that I could implement some of my ideas and that there was support available.
Rural Design Workshop
On the 16 March 2026, Carol Mackay and Greg Branson from Design Business Council with Wagga Wagga designer Rach Viski, presented the workshop, ‘Staying relevant in regional markets’, to assist 14 regional designers in maintaining a relevant, sustainable design business as technology evolves.
One participant said, “I have come away with so many gems and ah-ha moments. I’m already planning some marketing and content around what I’ve learned today, it was the insight I needed after a bit of a marketing slump. Designers regionally need workshops and events like this not only to learn outside perspectives but also to meet fellow professionals in the space.”
Another said, “I’m a solo brand designer and I drove 4 hours to attend a workshop with Carol & Greg which was absolutely phenomenal – so much more than I could have imagined. Their insights, experience, knowledge, delivery and ability to spark thoughtful conversations is second to none! They opened my eyes to so much potential in the visual design space, it truly altered my brain chemistry and the way I think about the design industry.”
RANSW would like to thank Carol, Greg and Rach for facilitating such an impactful workshop. We look forward to seeing how it inspires regional designers and enlivens their communities.
Image provided by Carol Mackay and Rach Viski.
RALLY Assembly
The highlight of the RALLY program was the RALLY Assembly, held in Kandos NSW on 23rd – 24th April 2026
Hosted by WAYOUT Artspace, the program involved professional development from experts in this space, time for networking and discussions to help generate ideas for arts-led regeneration.
Some of the presentations included:
- ‘The power of the arts to transform small communities’ with Andrew Gray, co-founder of Crimson Rosella
- ‘The art of rural regeneration’ with Tanya Lehmann from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
- ‘The role of creative space in small towns’ with architect Tony McBurney
These presentations were supported by various break-out sessions and many opportunities to connect with each other over meals. Attendees reported that the event was highly valuable, particularly valuing the opportunity to connect with other creatives across the state.
RALLY Assembly was the type of event that creates the vital opportunity for regional and rural artists to connect in person, in real time. As an independent artist living in regional NSW, I was able to connect in meaningful ways with other artists and organisations, makers and creators, who’s lived experience of living outside the major cities echoed with my own, as well as deepening understanding of challenges and opportunities unique to other parts of the state. These gatherings are necessary and impactful professional development moments for regional makers, the impacts of which will be felt long after leaving the event: they create a community, not limited by geographic distance, but made stronger for it.
RALLY Assembly provided a professional development opportunity that I found positive and engaging. The presenters were knowledgeable in their field, which enabled me to develop an awareness of how I can develop my art practice to engage more effectively with various stakeholders in my local community.
The art world has changed over the course of my career, but connections stay the same. This RALLY was a blessing. Coming to the small regional town of Kandos, reminded me that I am not alone.
Photos by Gus Armstrong
RANSW and Alex Wisser are very proud of the RALLY program and the way it promoted rural regeneration in NSW. We look forward to seeing how our partners and the Rural Innovators continue to enliven their communities through the arts.
RANSW would like to thank our project partners, Alex Wisser, The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Crimson Rosella, Tony McBurney, Rach Viski and our five rural centres for their support.
We would also like to thank the NSW Government through Create NSW, who supported the project through the Cultural Access: Priority Area Projects for Individuals and Organisations 24/25 grant round and Australian Government, who supported the project through the Regional Arts Fund: Strategic Partnerships Project Grants, administered by Regional Arts Australia.
