Heartland: a plan for regional NSW arts, culture and creative industries 2026–2035 builds upon Creative Communities as its foundational policy, while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges faced by regional NSW, by committing to six strategic priorities that strengthen the regional sector and unlock its potential.
1 - Champion regional First Nations arts and culture
Raise the profile and economic potential of regional NSW First Nations arts and cultural practitioners and Aboriginal-led organisations, through self-determined processes guided by Closing the Gap Priority Reforms.
2 - Strengthen regional partnerships and networks
Strengthen capacity and investment in regional arts and culture, improve connections between regional cultural and creative networks, and nurture new partnerships and philanthropic models.
3 - Unlock regional creative spaces
Collaborate across NSW Government, local councils, universities and vocational education providers, promoting more creative spaces and hubs in regional NSW.
4 - Open doors to regional creative careers
Develop new career pathway opportunities for creative workers, volunteers and young people in regional NSW, supporting workforce retention and critical skills development.
5 - Showcase regional creative innovation and storytelling
Expand access to arts and culture in regional NSW, incentivising and supporting cross-regional, national and international touring. Raise the profile of regional arts and cultural production and programming across the state through improved coordination.
6 - Amplify statewide arts and cultural tourism
Drive arts and cultural tourism development initiatives to attract new audiences, foster partnerships and build a sustainable regional ecosystem.
This plan celebrates creativity and creative practice as central to community identity and economic prosperity. It builds on evidence by expanding successful programs and projects delivered across NSW Government, supporting arts and culture to thrive in regional NSW, including Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program and grant opportunities like the Regional Touring Fund.
Through an integrated approach across government, industry, community and the creative sector, this plan will build partnerships, strengthen investment, activate networks, expand creative opportunities and enable sustainable growth.
Image Credit: Warren Mason performing at Tin Camp Studio, Lightning Ridge place-based music venue, Outback Arts, 2024. Photo: Outback Outloud Rainy King
Big News for the RADO Network
The NSW Government’s Plan for Regional NSW, Culture & Creative Industries was launched on 17 February, and it includes positively exciting news for the RADO network.
For the first time, the RADO Network has been formally recognised within a state plan and given its own dedicated funding stream. This is a significant outcome and reflects years of steady advocacy from boards and teams across regional NSW.
Finally, this plan addresses funding equality for our community by minimising competition for funding from the RADO groups. Allowing space for creative partners, organisations and individuals in our region to succeed and thrive.
A huge thank you to our Vice Chair Oumi for attending the launch in Tamworth and for her ongoing advocacy at state level.
This is a strong and positive step forward for regional arts, and for the communities we serve.
Image Credit: Oumi Karenga-Hewitt at Heartland Launch Event
Grant Writing Workshop with Dr. Tracey Callinan OAM
Looking to learn all things grants and applications?
Dr Tracey Callinan brings deep expertise in grant writing, funding strategy and arts leadership, with a proven track record of successfully raising millions of dollars for arts and cultural organisations.
With decades of hands-on experience securing government, philanthropic and partnership funding, Tracey offers practical, real-world insights into what makes grant applications stand out — and succeed.
Currently Chief Executive Officer of Regional Arts NSW, Tracey joined the RANSW organisation in 2022 following 13 years as Executive Director of Arts OutWest.
Her career includes senior roles at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Arts Council, alongside extensive experience across regional and metropolitan arts sectors. Tracey holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University, as well as a Master of Music (Music Education) and a Bachelor of Music Education from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.
Narrandera’s Spirit FM Community Radio celebrated its 21st birthday on Saturday 21 February with a fantastic evening at the Narrandera Golf Club, marking more than two decades of local voices, music and connection across the region.
Western Riverina Arts was delighted to attend and help celebrate this important milestone. The evening was filled with great food, drinks and live music, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere that reflected the strong community spirit Spirit FM has fostered over the past 21 years.
Congratulations to past and present volunteers, presenters, committee members and supporters who have contributed their time and passion to keep Spirit FM thriving.
Here’s to the next chapter of local broadcasting in Narrandera.
Image credit: Western Riverina Arts, Sue Ruffles pictured
Image credit: Spirit FM
Image credit: Western Riverina Arts
Image credit: Western Riverina Arts
Events
Leeton Shire
Image credit: Leeton Museum and Art Gallery
Image credit: Leeton Museum and Art Gallery
Where I was to Where I am
Where I Was to Where I Am brings together more than 200 photographs taken over time, layered and re-layered to reflect both a physical and mental journey.
This exhibition by Elijah Ingram reflects the way thinking can become crowded or jumbled, with ideas and experiences running into each other. Each photo is beautiful on its own, but when placed together, a different kind of beauty appears: one that is busy, moving, and sometimes messy. It invites visitors to slow down and notice the details.
Where I Was to Where I Am is both personal and open-ended, offering space for reflection on how we remember, how we change, and how meaning can be found not just in clarity, but in the messiness along the way.
On now at Leeton Museum and Art Gallery until 21 March.
A Common Thread 2026
A Common Thread returns to Leeton Museum and Art Gallery as a celebration of connection and thread-based making. Across the gallery you’ll find a diverse group of artists and makers, each working with fibre, stitch, textile or wearable forms in their own way. Some have worked side by side for years. Others join through a single introduction, a shared project or mutual admiration. Every work sits inside that web of relationships. In this space, visitors can slow down and look closely at what handwork can hold. Time, care, humour, play, memory and the satisfaction of building something stitch by stitch.
On now at Leeton Museum and Art Gallery until 20 March.
Narrandera Shire
Image credit: Narrandera Tourism - Sophie Chauncey
Image credit: NACNET
Traces of the Landscape: Nature Journalling & Mixed Media Layers Workshop
Join Sophie Chauncey for a creative workshop inspired by the Riverina’s natural beauty. Across two relaxed evening sessions, you’ll explore nature journalling through layered mixed-media techniques.
Learn to observe and gather inspiration from local river systems and plant life, then translate these impressions into expressive journal pages using watercolour, ink, graphite, charcoal and simple mark-making tools.
Participants will experiment with incorporating natural materials like leaves and feathers as stencils or drawing tools, building confidence in visual expression. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have several completed journal spreads and a deeper connection to the quiet stories of the landscape. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike, just bring your curiosity!
The workshops are relaxed, accessible and suitable for beginners through to more experienced makers.
The workshop is for adults and progressive over 2 sessions and you need to be able to attend both sessions. Ticket price includes both sessions.
For more detailed information on this workshop and to book directly click the link below.
Do you enjoy painting, drawing, creating? Join in each week, come for an hour, come for longer - we're here until 8pm so drop in, have a cuppa and pick up a brush if you feel inclined.
ArtsHub @ Narrandera Railway Station
Cost:
Premium members - FREE
General member - $5
Non-member - $10
Griffith
Image: credit: Linzie Joanne
Image: credit: Allis Hamilton, Where I first watched tadpoles swim, Oil on board.
Image credit: Griffith Regional Art Gallery
En Plein Air with Linzie Joanne
Join artist Linzie Joanne for an inspiring En Plein Air acrylic painting workshop in the gallery garden. This hands-on session invites you to step outdoors and capture the beauty of nature directly onto your canvas. Linzie will guide you through essential techniques for working with acrylics in an open-air setting, including how to observe light, color, and composition in a dynamic environment. You’ll learn practical tips for painting outdoors, while exploring creative ways to express the vibrancy of the garden. This workshop offers a relaxed and supportive atmosphere to spark your creativity. All materials provided.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery
Saturday 28 February, 9am - 12pm Cost $90
Allis Hamilton: Painting Home – From here to Grandma’s House
An exhibition of landscape paintings by Riverina-born artist, poet, and musician, Allis Hamilton. Hamilton created this body of work out on the earth in the elements with the ants and birds. She sees her home not as scenery, but as a living breathing being she is intimately a part of.
Through painting this plein air Allis attempts to capture some of the energy and awe she feels towards the hills, trees and soils that have raised her. ‘Grandma’s House’ refers not only to her many grandmothers, but to all the grandmothers, especially those of the grasses, trees, insects, mammals, and birds who call this place home.
For more works by Allis Hamilton visit www.thestorytellingtent.com
Gallery Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11am – 2pm.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery
Open Studio
The Griffith Regional Art Gallery is opening its courtyard for artists to come in and enjoy a collaborative art space.
Have you got an art project or artwork you have been working on at home that you just can’t get finished? Book a place at the GRAG Open Studio and join other local creatives for ideas, encouragement and inspiration.
Open Studio Sessions are facilitated by GRAG Public Programs Officer, Isis-Rae Ronan.
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT Bring along your projects, materials and equipment. Gallery easels are available for use.
Please note: we are unable to facilitate any equipment that needs a power source eg. Sewing machines, Pyrography pens, power tools etc.
Date: February 26th, 2026
10:00am - 12:30pm
Murrumbidgee Shire
Image credit: Murrumbidgee Shire Council
Jerilderie Fun Fair
The Jerilderie Fun Fair is an annual, one-day event located at Monash Park in Jerilderie.
The aim is to provide a positive and affordable regional event for people of all ages and demographics to attend.
There will be a variety of entertainment and activities at the event, including live music performances, rides, jumping castles, market stalls, food trucks, outdoor cinema screening and much more.
Saturday, 07 March 2026 | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Monash Park, Nowranie St, Jerilderie, New South Wales, Australia, 2716
Check out all the latest listings, opportunities, events, news and more on ArtsHub
MSP Photography
As Australia’s largest school photography brand, MSP Photography is a progressive and innovative company with 25 franchises nationwide, photographing more than 1.4 million students each year. Our state-of-the-art headquarters and production facility is located in Wagga Wagga, employing over 60 staff and producing high-quality school photography products for our national brand.
We currently have the following opportunities to join our production team in our Wagga Wagga facility.
Full-Time Permanent Position Available:
Production assistant - Group Graphic Template Operator
Wagga Wagga City Council are seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our Art Gallery team as Casual Art Gallery Assistants!
We are seeking professional and friendly staff to join our Art Gallery team as Casual Art Gallery Assistants with key responsibilities involving Front of House, (Reception and Retail), Invigilation, Public Programs and Events).
For more information and to apply, view the listing below:
