Shakeup of arts trail set to help build New England brand

Regional cultural body Arts North West recently announced a shakeup of its 8-year-old Arts North West Connect program and website.

The refreshed arts trail will now be completely free and cover the entire New England North West creative and cultural landscape.

Armidale print maker Lizzie Horne had been one of the 70 local subscribers signed up to the original physical art trail, which promoted local venues through hard copy maps, an app and the website.

She said the trail had been an enormous benefit to her work and welcomed the changes to the program.

"The more people who get involved the better and removing all barriers for involvement is a really good way to start," she said.

"The new website is fabulous."

She said the initiative could help make the New England North West Region into a recognised arts brand, like Broken Hill or Tasmania.

"I think the region is well known for its art culture and all that can do is grow.

"We have lots of fabulous artists and it's pretty exciting to be able to go into private studios and see where, and how, people work. It really feels like a special treat!"

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Arts North West Connect will take on its new look and purpose from the end of 2020.

The new initiative, which will cover 12 different local government areas in a single unified website promoting solely arts, culture, and tourism, has never been done before in the New England North West.

The new website has been separated into sections advertising different talents and skills, arts and cultural venues, artists' portfolios, technical skills registry, comprehensive maps, and events.

Spokesperson Steph McIntosh said 2020 has brought about a "complete overhaul of the way in which we operate at Arts North West".

"Arts North West Connect will be an incredible and valuable resource for the entire New England North West region. This will essentially be the most comprehensive database of all things creative and cultural in the region, disguised as a new snazzy and sleek website."

Mrs McIntosh said the website will only be as good as the information local artists fill it with, and strongly encouraged them to get involved.

The regional arts organisation, based in Glen Innes, recently announced funding for 13 creative endeavours.

The company received an additional $80,000 to engage Aboriginal arts officer Lorrayne Fishenden to deliver services to Indigenous visual artists based in the New England North West region.

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