ARTS outwest
Opens 4pm Friday 14 August 2026. Exhibition marks 202-year anniversary of Martial Law in Bathurst area.
By 12 August 2026.
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With the Victoria Pass detour continuing we’ve changed opening days at Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery.
Now open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm in the NPWS visitor centre at 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley.
August 2026. HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS of arts and cultural moments, actions, wins and stories are happening all the time across the NSW Central West. Here’s our now quarterly dip into some of those stories.
On Tuesday 11 August make sure your arts jobs are counted in the Census.
You may have seen a lot of chat about Payday Super and new requirements for musicians and other gig artists to be paid super (and what that means for, say, festivals and music venues).
Weekly programs are already running in Bathurst and Orange, we’re looking to expand to other areas including BLAYNEY and LITHGOW.
We caught up with Dianne Franks from Grenfell Artists Inc on how they’ve used their Arts OutWest Cultural Fund Microgrant and what the group is up to.
Artists from two vastly different NSW environments will spend a month making work in each other’s regions in the new Tidal Exchange program.
Arts OutWest, in partnership with Health Infrastructure, are working within Blayney Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Residential Aged Care, using art making experiences to both engage residents and create new artworks for the space.
That Sarah Randall found time to lap up plein air site offerings during weekends at The Squatter’s Residency in 2025 and 2026 is testament to her focused work ethic.
We took Aboriginal art from the NSW Central West to the world – selling over $25,000 of art on behalf of Aboriginal artists from the region
This collaborative reflection not only honours the creativity and messages of past decades but also empowers our students to carry these inspirations forward. We are proud of their thoughtful engagement and look forward to seeing how they will continue to express these values in their journey ahead.
Applications now open. Critical Writing in the Arts – Professional Development Program. BlakView responds to a critical gap in regional arts practice – the lack of diverse voices in critical writing and cultural commentary.
Workshops Sundays 5 July, 12 July, 26 July, 2 August.
The big drums will be out again for the Galari Lachlan Rivers Arts Festival in Forbes on Saturday 8 August – and thanks to an Arts OutWest Cultural Fund microgrant the community can learn to play them.
project highlights
Toolkit
2026: Auspiced by Arts OutWest
2026: critical writing in the arts
REGIONAL NEWS
August 2026. HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS of arts and cultural moments, actions, wins and stories are happening all the time across the NSW Central West. Here’s our now quarterly dip into some of those stories.
The winners of the 2026 Banjo Paterson Writing Awards have been announced, with two writers sharing first prize for the prestigious Short Story category.
The Inland Astro-Trail Project and Bogan Gate Primary School are co-hosting an evening of stargazing with some of the region’s most experienced amateur astronomers on Thursday, 13 August 2026, 6 pm to 9 pm, as part of National Science Week.
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre received 22 entries for the annual competition.
“We were blown away by the quality, creativity and calibre of our regional talent. Choosing our finalists was no easy task – but after much deliberation, we’re excited to reveal our Top 14!” they announced.
Bathurst Regional Council is seeking community feedback on the Strategic Framework for the future revitilisation of the Bathurst TAFE Heritage Precinct.
Five regional tours, of regional artists, taking place across NSW this Spring – including the NSW Central West in September.
Congratulations to Nigel Helyer who is the recipient of the inaugural Full Circle International Residency Award 2026, a partnership with Orange Regional Gallery.
Local community groups and organisations will benefit from a significant boost in funding, with Council increasing its annual Community Funding Program allocation to $175,000.
Forbes’ biggest-ever Youth Week program has earned Forbes Shire Council finalist status in the NSW Youth Week 2026 Awards.
Parkes Shire Council is excited to announce the recipients of Round 1 of the Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) for 2026. The round was popular with seven applicants requesting over $45,000 in support.
Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce the four successful recipients of its 2026 Cultural Grants Program, with funding supporting a diverse range of cultural events and activities that celebrate the creativity and cultural heritage of communities across the shire.
Wanda’s artwork was picked from almost 40 other outstanding works from artists in the region. It has now been acquired by Cabonne Council to become part of the Cabonne Council Art Collection
Kandos will once again become a meeting place for artists, locals and visitors when Cementa26
Contemporary Arts Festival returns from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September 2026.
Kandos Artist Fleur MacDonald has released her first novel, a dark comedy crime story under the nom de plume of Betty Stewart. Her editor’s description “It’s like a mashup of a CWA doco with the series of The Sopranos in which all the wives relocate to country NSW. There’s a little bit of War of the Roses to it too.”
The Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts has received a major boost, with Destination NSW awarding $90,000 over three years through its Regional Event Fund – Flagship Event Stream, recognising the festival as one of New South Wales’ premier regional events and supporting its continued growth. The Funding Amount must be expended on costs that enhance the marketing and promotion of the festival.
Lithgow City Council is delivering a major boost to safety, vibrancy, and local activation in the CBD, with more than $1.25 million secured to transform Main Street and surrounding public spaces.
ARTS opportunities
Closes: 18 September 2026. Bathurst Library are now taking expressions of interest for local writers to participate in their 2026 Local Writers’ Showcase in November this year.
Closes: 6 September 2026. The former Small Grants, Skills Development, Leg Up, and Project Development Grants have been brought together, allowing organisations to apply for funding of up to $4,000 per project.
Closes: 1 Seotember 2026. Funding of between $10,000 and $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all arts practices.
Ongoing. Inland Rail offer funding between $1000–$4000 for individuals and organisations in eligible regional communities on the Inland Rail alignment between Beveridge, in Victoria, and Parkes, in New South Wales.
Closes: 31 December 2026. This fund supports mature events that have already received maximum Flagship Event funding and can present a comprehensive strategy for future growth as drivers of tourism.
Closes: 17 August 2026. The objective of this program is to fund support for arts and culture infrastructure such as museums, art galleries or cultural centres.
Closes: 14 September 2026. Entries are open for the Dobell Drawing Prize – Australia’s leading prize for drawing, and an unparalleled celebration of technique, innovation and expanded practice.
Closes: 13 September 2026. Entries are now open for the biennial $50,000 acquisitive painting award. This prize is awarded to a living Australian artist to commemorate the life and work of Emanuel Phillips Fox
Closes: 23 October 2026. Rural women who are changing lives rarely seek recognition – the Shine Awards are dedicated to honouring their efforts.
Closes: 23 August 2026. Are you full of energy, love a fast-paced environment, and thrive on not just delivering outstanding customer service. Cowra Civic Centre want you to join their team.
Makers Month Twilight Market are after artists, makers, and crafters to be a part of the next market on 3 October at Powerhouse.
Closes: 28 September 2026. The Newbridge Art Show is a national art show which welcomes artists from across Australia to enter.
Orange Regional Museum request objects, stories or photographs connected to life in the Central West during World War II for a school history program.
Closes: 11 September 2026. The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a major national Australian art prize, celebrating artistic excellence in 2D works across painting, drawing and printmaking.
One Arts Gold Coast hosts a monthly Artist in Residence program designed to support emerging and mid-career artists by providing professional exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and community engagement.
Closes: 31 August 2026. A statewide program supporting producers, self-producing artists and arts workers in regional NSW to build skills, connect with industry professionals and access practical knowledge and resources.
Closes: 6 October 2026. Introducing a brand-new section for Photography at the 2026 Cowra Spring Show!
Closes: 14 August 2026. Blayney Council are seeking expressions of interest for stall holders and performers for the Blayney Twilight Shopping Night on 27 November 2026.
Closes: 31 August 2026. Cowra Council is encouraging local community groups and organisations to apply for funding through the next round of the Cowra Community Grants Program, which opens on Monday, 3 August.
Calling Artists and Sculptors to exhibit at the annual Art & Sculpture Show at Rydal on 12 and 13 September.
Starts: 25 August 2026. This interactive course allows students to explore their drawing techniques in a shared virtual classroom / studio.
Closes: 25 August 2026. Are you an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-owned tourism business, creative practitioner, artist, cultural arts organisation operating in NSW? Murawin is seeking your EOI to share your business experiences, ideas and aspirations
Closes: 2 September 2026. Backroads 2026 has 3 x $7000 grants available to support tours to 1-3 independent or community-run venues in regional NSW.
An exciting new community art exhibition ‘Studio to Street’ is coming in November, celebrating the incredible creativity of our local artists. Submissions open now. Mediums in painting, drawing, sculpture and digital media.
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Arts OutWest acknowledges the traditional owners of the country on which we work, the Wiradjuri / Wiradyuri people, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their custodians past, present and emerging.