New grants available to help young local artists

One of the earliest grant recipients was a flautist from Umina, Alyse Faith

The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts (BFA) is encouraging local artists aged 15 to 30 to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help them thrive in the arts sector.

The BFA was founded 11 years ago by renowned Shakespearean actor, John Bell, who now directs the Foundation.

The BFA said the peninsula has become a “very important catchment” for the organisation, with John Bell’s home and the Wagstaffe Hall the anchors for the first years of the Foundation, before spreading further afield into the Gosford CBD and north.

One of the earliest grant recipients was a flautist from Umina, Alyse Faith.

Alyse regularly keeps the Foundation updated on her successes and said she was grateful for the leg-up she received, supporting the BFA through offers of house concerts to help raise funds.

Alyse used her most recent grant to travel to London to complete a master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music.

Whilst studying there, Alyse helped organise a RAM Benefit Concert to raise money for the bushfire victims in Australia.

Since graduating, she has returned to Australia, accepted a full-time permanent position on the faculty of Girton Grammar School, Bendigo, and continues to also explore performance opportunities as a soloist, ensemble player, or orchestral player with other professional musicians throughout the region.

Since its foundation, more than 150 young artists have received over $300,000 plus mentoring and have used their grants to travel internationally for study, stage exhibitions, and fund tuition and supplies.

Applications can be submitted between April 1 and May 29 via bouddiarts.org.au/

Applicants will be advised if they will be invited to auditions later in the year, and the annual awards event will follow.

More information about the grants is available at youtu.be/kox2Ytk2r8A

Maisy Rae