Port Kembla's Tender Funerals to share in $151k funding from Create NSW

Our Community Project with Tender Funerals will receive $60,000 to change the culture of funerals by placing emphasis on the human touch and letting loved ones say goodbye in their own way with a holistic scope.

The Writers Festival takes home $57,000 to support the delivery of core program components of the annual event, which will feature a range of diverse voices on what sustains people and artistic practice.

While Bundanon’s annual spring event which brings together scientists, artists and community voices has been boosted with $34,000.

State Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said he was impressed with the diversity of applications, with final recipients including a range of artist residencies, Indigenous art programs, immersive virtual reality projects through to LGBTQI theatre and electronic music projects.

“We are always looking to increase the range and diversity of arts and cultural opportunities available across the state, and our recipients are certainly an exciting bunch that do just that,” Mr Harwin said.

“It has been particularly impressive to see so many of the projects involve national and international collaborations initiated by NSW artists and companies that in turn deliver great art for the people of Illawarra.”

New arts funding is now available to support innovative smaller-scale capital projects that increase and strengthen participation in arts, screen and cultural activities across Wollongong.

Under the new Creative Capital fund applicants can apply for up to $60,000 in matched funding from Create NSW to be used to improve arts and cultural venues, repair and conserve collections or for new equipment to improve the usability of arts and cultural facilities.

Mr Harwin said it will boost creative hubs and bring other benefits including increased employment, urban renewal and tourism opportunities.

He said applications for much needed innovations were encouraged such as digitization of collections, renovations or stage machinery. 

This funding is on top of the $100 million over four years promised to the regions for cultural infrastructure upgrades as part of the Regional Cultural Fund.

Applications for the Creative Capital fund close Friday November 10.