Wed. Oct 9th, 2024

Local schools are set to get creative with the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) delivering outreach art programs under the former State Government’s Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery initiative.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the $41,140 grant funding for the visual arts program was designed to build resilience, strengthen community networks, and improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

“This is a great initiative to ensure creative opportunities are not forgotten in hard-to-reach rural and remote places,” Mr Marshall said.

“Whether it be painting, printmaking, photography, documentary or art for wellness and expression – there is something for everyone.”

“Well done to Alexis Rickards for securing these funds to engage local artists and educators to deliver a curriculum aligned, hands-on art program in schools.”

Education Officer at NERAM, Alexis Rickards, said NERAM were thrilled to receive the funding and excited to get the program underway.

“Art on the move is an exciting program which provides high quality visual arts programs to students across the Northern Tablelands,” Ms Rickards said.

“The program is proving to be very popular, with many schools booking workshops with local artists such as Leah Bullen, Mike Terry and Walcha based artist Paula Jenkins.

“NERAM’s thriving visual arts creative learning program will design and deliver dedicated education outreach programs to rural and remote schools who otherwise have limited capacity to visit NERAM to engage in arts-based learning.

“The program will be delivered to schools reaching across the Northern Tablelands including Armidale, Glen Innes, Walcha, Uralla and Guyra.”

“This will engage visual arts educators to deliver high quality ‘minds on, hands on’ art activities to students as well as classroom support and resources to teachers.”

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