Offering creatives $40,000 commission for new works

An opportunity is on offer for local creatives to receive up to $40,000 commission through the Creative Art Central program.

The program, run by Central Coast Council, is designed to support local creatives to produce new and contemporary works that demonstrate a strong connection to community.

Council Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith is calling on local practitioners to be inspired to collaborate and create with the community.

“We’re inviting local emerging and established creative practitioners that specialise in visual, performance, digital, literary, community arts and crafts to register their interest in developing a new work that encourages community participation during its production,” Smith said.

“This may be developed through an interactive community program or public presentation which encourages community engagement and participation.

“By providing opportunities to commission new works and investing in the local creative landscape, Council not only assists with nurturing the growth of local creative practitioners but also in promoting stronger partnerships within the creative industries on the Coast.

“Our community can view videos online to hear from previous year participants about their experiences with the Creative Art Central program, which have produced a diverse range of projects including a large-scale sculpture, documentary and short films, and other initiatives across the performance and community art space,” Smith said.

Creative Art Central is a merit-based art in community program with an independent panel of judges.

Registered practitioners who are ranked in the top 10 against the eligibility criteria will each be awarded $1,000 in seed funding to further develop and refine their initial concepts over a three-month period.

Successful recipients will then be announced in May 2025.

Registrations in the program are accepted between October 7-21, search ‘creative art central’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au