Zoom drama sessions for those who identify as living with a disability, and a music video dedicated to our unsung heroes on the front-line are just two projects which have gotten the green light.
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Arts North West have supported 11 projects stemming from Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell, and more, which have been successfully funded through their North West Micro Grants program.
Despite cutbacks in normal spending from COVID-19, Arts North West were still pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for our creative minds.
One recipient was Stephanie Marshall from Inverell, who is set to use the dollars to host collaborative 'UnStop-Ability' performance sessions online through the Zoom Pro platform.
As a drama teacher, she works with a whole range of ages and abilities. For two years she has been spearheading the 'UnStop-Ability' program, giving people with a disability a chance to perform as artists.
"At the beginning of this year it was named Inverell Shire's event of the year, and we were so excited to go forward and build on it, and I had a cast of about 100 people identifying as living with a disability.
"Suddenly COVID-19 comes around and we can't do play-building, story-line development, so I was really sad that our project seemed to be stalled.
"I became aware of Zoom as a platform. I was interested to see if it was possible for us to use bodies as an instrument, because some performers are non-verbal. And the potential is amazing."
She plans to undertake professional development and gain access to the video platform for all of her group with the grant money.
Another successful applicant was Alan Buchan with his band Al and the Buchaneers, who will create a music video of David Bowie's 'Heroes'. It will pay tribute to all the essential service workers keeping our country moving, those often unseen in the background.
"[The song] spoke to me in the first place as a romantic 15 year old ... and now it's speaking to those people who want to express their gratitude for all those people who are not in the spotlight.
"They are not the parliamentarians, or premiers, or leaders, they are the truck drivers who have delivered to supermarkets every week throughout the whole thing. The farmers, the doctors and nurses, the journalists.
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"A song like 'Heroes', and music in general, it transcends age, race, borders, anything. Any 'ism' is erased. It gives me goosebumps."
Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer said they were "absolutely thrilled" at the response to the new initiative.
