The great yarn event and other arts stories from Regional Australia

This 1998 publication is the first of three volumes of stories from rural and regional Australia, published jointly between the Australia Council and Regional Arts Australia. This publication represents Regional Arts Australia?s first national advocacy initiative, designed to promote increased understanding of the nature of the arts in regional communities. In 1996, state and territory-based agencies responsible for regional arts came together to resolve new directions for national advocacy and development. In doing so, it was recognised that the regional arts landscape has changed significantly over recent years. ? Art centres, many with professional managers and significant program funding, are now dotted all over country Australia, delivering arts programs and products not previously available. ? The establishment of the National Exhibition Touring Support program has provided opportunities for country communities to access high-quality exhibitions of visual arts and crafts on a regular basis. ? Through funding from local, state and commonwealth governments there has been the provision of a wider and improved range of art experiences to country Australians. This is particularly so in the area of community cultural development, with communities determining their own goals and developing projects to achieve them.