Bundanon’s future secured with $8.5 million grant plus $47 million more for regional arts & culture
The revered Bundanon Trust Riversdale site, which served as inspiration for iconic Australian landscape painter Arthur Boyd, has received $8.5 million from the NSW Government’s new Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).
The money will be used to build a new gallery and storage facility at the famous property, on the NSW South Coast.
The project is the largest of 68 exciting initiatives across regional NSW that have shared in close to $50 million from the first round of RCF funding.
Arts Minister Don Harwin visited Bundanon Trust in Illaroo on the NSW South Coast to make the announcement, to coincide with the Trust’s 25th anniversary.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Regional NSW also confirmed applications for the second round of the RCF are now open, with a further $47 million in funding set to be allocated to regional arts and culture projects across the state.
Mr Barilaro said as part of round two, up to $5 million would also be dedicated to the revitalisation and creation of public libraries as a priority, helping to extend community access to library services.
“As I travelled the state announcing successful projects from round one, it was so pleasing to see how much the support meant to the people at the centre of our arts and culture communities in regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our government is right behind regional arts and culture organisations and I encourage them to put their best foot forward to secure funding in this second round,” he said.
Mr Harwin said he was delighted to announce Bundanon’s funding to celebrate its anniversary.
“To stand here at Bundanon to announce the NSW Government’s commitment of $8.5 million to build a wonderful new gallery and storage facility is a truly special moment,” said Mr Harwin.
“Arthur Boyd’s extraordinary works live on as enduring inspiration for the many passionate and talented artists across regional NSW.
“This new facility housed on this famous landscape will pave the way for the Bundanon Trust’s revered $43 million collection to be housed and presented for all visitors to enjoy,” he said.
Local Member for Kiama Gareth Ward says the funding was a demonstration of the NSW Government’s commitment to the regions.
“The great Arthur Boyd is an amazing testament to the rich artistic talent here in the Shoalhaven,” said Mr Ward.
“Only this government would make such a significant commitment to regional arts and culture in NSW,” he said.
Applications for the next round of the Regional Cultural Fund will be open from 1 July and close on 21 September 2018.
Mr Harwin said in addition to the $47 million available for community projects in round two, the NSW Government is funding a digitisation project under the Regional Cultural Fund to preserve cultural collections from regional NSW.
“Arts, screen and culture is at the heart of every regional community. The success of our recent first round of funding shows the Government’s commitment to driving growth in arts, screen, culture and heritage in regional NSW is making a huge difference.”
The $100m Regional Cultural Fund is a cornerstone of the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Guidelines for applying for the new round of RCF funding are available at – nsw.gov.au/regionalculturalfund
Published: 2 July 2018