small grants scheme

The successful applicants were Maitland Region Society of Artists, Purr Productions and Greenway Gallery.

We would like to thank all other applicants for their submissions and congratulate the three successful applicants.

Maitland Region Society of Artists mural no 2
The Maitland Region Society of Artists (MRSA) received the grant to assist in the funding of a 3m x 3m mural to be installed in the adolescent clinic at Maitland Hospital. The mural was painted by multi - talented and award winning artists who are also MRSA members. The aim of the project was to provide stress relief for young people aged 10 - 18 years, give them visual pleasure, and to perhaps influence their cultural perspective which could brighten their future and their attitude towards their community. The project will be installed at the hospital in January 2008.
Purr Productions every exceptional life
Purr productions recieved the grant to assist in the funding of every exceptional life a documentary spearheaded by Amy Murphy-Higgins. The documentary will endorse and encourage the cultural identity of Maitland through telling the amazing and ordinary stories of 10-12 local women. Amy has worked with performance and women’s issues in a Community Cultural Development context since 2001 in South Australia, the Northern Territory and NSW. She has worked as a writer, performer, facilitator, and director, receiving mentorships in the field of CCD with Maude Davey, Rachel Patterson, Hannah McDougal, and Margie Fischer. Amy has worked with film to document her performance projects, and to also make short films on Indigenous Communities in the Northern Territory; in 2001 she won Best Indigenous Film in the Northern Territory short film awards for a film made with students in Milakapiti. The cultural identity of Maitland is strengthened through this documentary which focuses on the diversity of women who live in Maitland. Participants are asked to ponder what living in Maitland means to them, and what they feel about their home. Cultural development is strengthened in Maitland as participants contribute to a documentary which now has the potential for greater audiences. As Purr Productions is now based in South Australia, we are using the facilities of the Media Resource Centre to enhance Every Exceptional Life, and hopefully give it a greater distribution. Purr has many networks in Maitland and the Hunter and this continues to be the most important area of distribution. Women starring in Every Exceptional Life are local to the Maitland area. Artists from Purr Productions are maintaining several projects in Maitland, and thus continue to add to the flavor of community life with 5 working-visits before August 07. The project will encourage more women and girls to contribute to the cultural identity of Maitland giving validation to their voices, and therefore allowing greater contribution.
Greenway Gallery launch
As part of Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s – City of the Arts commitment to establishing and promoting art and culture throughout the Maitland Region, the City of the Arts has collaborated with six female artists to launch the Greenway Gallery Group. The six inspiring artists, Caroline Lobsey, Amanda Davies, Karen Ma, Ileana Clarke, Joh Waller and Roslyn Elkin came together to form Greenway Gallery Group (GGG). Their endeavour began whilst studying at Newcastle Art School, each sharing a passion to engage cross cultural projects, maintaining the synergy of the group. The professional relationship of the group evolved towards to acquiring a shop front space in Morpeth. The space, donated to the group by Caroline Lobsey, encompasses creative independence and community cultural development through the facilitation of a wide variety of multi-media activities, events, workshops, lectures, exhibitions and eventually an artist in residence program. As the group stated, “all artists need an accessible public space, just as musicians need an orchestra and audience to hear their work”. Maitland Regional Art Gallery – City of the Arts Project Coordinator, Madalyn Trypas was inspired by the groups vision and passion. She stated that their “community based initiative will engage and educate participants of all ages, inspiring the imaginations and minds of the community”. Greenway Gallery 166 Swan St Morpeth NSW  2321