Arts Mid North Coast

We are excited to open our Community Exhibition, GATHER, next week at MAKE/SPACE Coffs Harbour. Made possible through the generosity of Gowings Pacific Shopping Centres, MAKE/SPACE is located on Level One at Coffs Central and provides a vibrant platform for artists across our region. GATHER brings together the work of 60 artists from across the Mid North Coast in a month-long celebration of creativity, connection, and community. Join us for the Opening Celebration on Thursday 21 May, from 5.30pm – 7.30pm, and help us celebrate the incredible artists involved in this exhibition. Everyone is welcome. Exhibition is open from the 20th May- 20th June. Artwork Credit- Carly Marchment

🎨 Common Thread Exhibition Now Open! We were thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Common Thread Exhibition last Thursday evening, showcasing the incredible work of the artists in our Shared Practice Program. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us to support these talented creators. The exhibition is now on display at MakeSpace Port Central, Port Macquarie, and will run until 23 May. We encourage everyone to visit, experience the art, and show your support for our local artistic community! Thank you to our program supporters: Creative Australia, Create NSW, Yarrila Arts & Museum, Nulla Nulla Regional Gallery, Glasshouse Regional Gallery and Gowings Pacific Traders. @creative.australia @creatensw @yam.coffs @glasshousepmq @kempseyshirecouncil 📸 Common Thread Exhibition Opening and Shared Practice Artists Bee Hudson, Brad Collins, Olivia Cotovich, Kellie deWaal, Lucy Juhnke, Anne de Nooijer, Ros Fuhrer. Photos by Skye Petho. #CommonThread #SharedPractice #SupportLocalArt #PortMacquarie

Our community exhibition, GATHER is opening next week and we would love to see you all at the opening in MAKE/SPACE Coffs Harbour to celebrate with the 60 artists involved 🎉 Exhibition runs from the 20th May- 20th June Coffs Harbour MAKE/SPACE, Coffs Central, Level 1 Opening Celebration, Thursday 22nd May, 5.30pm- 7.30pm. ALL WELCOME MAKE/SPACE is made possible through the support and generosity of Gowings Pacific Shopping Centres. Artwork Credit- Crystal Tate

CALL FOR ENTRIES // URUNGA SMALL SCULPTURE PRIZE The 2026 Call for Entries is now open for the Urunga Small Sculpture Prize, which showcases ambitious ideas on an intimate scale. The prize is open to sculptors Australia-wide, and the 2026 cash prize pool is $10,000. Artists are invited to submit images of their completed or proposed original freestanding or wall-mounted sculptures of no larger than 50 cm in height, width or depth. Established in 2018, the Urunga Small Sculpture Prize is the only annual competition hosted by the volunteer-run Art Space gallery in the seaside town of Urunga, NSW, and is rapidly gaining traction as one of the premier regional prizes for smaller-scale sculpture. Read more here or via our link in bio /artist-call-out-for-urunga-small-sculpture-prize-2026/

✨ NOW OPEN: The Windmill Trust Scholarship ✨ The Windmill Trust Scholarship for regional artists is now open for applications. Established in 1997 in memory of the artist Penny Meagher, the emphasis of the Windmill Trust Scholarship is to support visual artists from regional NSW to take up career development and/or presentation opportunities for their work. One individual or group will be awarded up to $10,000 to contribute to the cost of: ➡ Exhibiting work, including space rental, artist fees, travel, documentation ➡ Professional development and education ➡ Independent artistic research or practice including studio fees, residencies and travel ⏳ Applications close Friday 13 July 2026, midnight AEST. Regional Arts NSW will also run two online Q&A workshops for applicants to answer any of your questions regarding eligibility, the application form, budget or support materials, and provide grant writing support to artists wanting to apply. ➡ Friday 22 May, 11am via Teams ➡ Friday 3 July, 11am via Teams 🔗 Learn more & apply: regionalartsnsw.com.au/windmill-trust-scholarship or via @regionalartsnsw 📸 Shan Turner Carroll, I love you, 2026, photography/sculpture, Archival ink jet print, 130cm x 87cm. Photographed on Wonnarua Country NSW. Winner of the 2025 Windmill Trust Scholarship.

CLOSING 25 MAY // CREATE NSW 2026 ACFP GRANTS 📣 Calling NSW artists and cultural practitioners! Five funding rounds under the 2026 Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) Projects Funding and 2026 Regional Arts Touring- Round 1 are now open. Whether you’re developing new work, building your skills, touring across NSW or delivering inclusive cultural projects, there’s an opportunity open to support your creative practice. 🎨2026 ACFP Project Funding Available this year in one round across four categories: ⚫️ Creative Steps- New Work: funding to develop new creative work (individuals and groups only) ⚫️ Professional Development- Next Steps: support for professional and skills development (individuals only) ⚫️ Creative Nations: First Nations-led arts and cultural projects (individuals and organisations) ⚫️ Cultural Access –– projects engaging NSW Government strategic priority areas and target populations, namely First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, young people, disability and d/Deaf communities, LGBTQIA+ and communities located in Western Sydney and regional NSW. Available to both individuals and organisations. 🚐 2026 Regional Arts Touring Fund (Round 1) Supporting individual artists and organisations to bring arts and culture to regional communities. 📆 Applications close 2pm, 25 May 2026. ___ Image Credits: 1) Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition opening, Grafton Regional Gallery, 2024. Image credit: Chloe Van Dorp, Simon Hughes. 2) It’s Already Happened, We’re Just in the Past by Emily Parsons-Lord and Shan Turner-Carroll. Liveworks, 2024 at Carriageworks. Image courtesy of the artists. 3) 2025 Breaking Ground: Women in Arts & Creativity Symposium. Image credit: Isabella Moore for Diversity Arts Australia. 4) Smoke, Arts Northern Rivers, 2024. Image credit: Kate Holmes. 5) Crystal Nguyen is ViV! Written and Directed by Catherine McNamara, presented by BMEC 2025. Image credit: Henry Simmons. 6) Saplings, Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). Image credit: Clare Hawley.

📣 CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS 📣 ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER We’re inviting artists to be part of GATHER, a community exhibition celebrating creativity, connection and place. We are seeking artists working across all mediums who are interested in contributing to this bold, playful and reflective group exhibition. ✨ All experience levels welcome ✨ No theme or cost to enter ✨ Open to Mid North Coast Artists ✨ Selected works will be included in the exhibition 20 May – 20 June in MAKE/SPACE Coffs Harbour, Coffs Central Shopping Centre. If you’d like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you. 📩 To apply or find out more, head to the Arts Mid North Coast Website - /artist-call-out-for-gather-a-community-exhibition-at-make-space-in-coffs-harbour/ Let’s GATHER together. Artwork Credit- Karen THio

📣 CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS 📣 We’re inviting artists to be part of GATHER, a community exhibition celebrating creativity, connection and place. Held at MAKE/SPACE Coffs Harbour, Coffs Central, GATHER brings together a diverse range of practices and voices reflecting the richness of our local arts community. This exhibition explores what it means to come together through art, shared experience, and collective storytelling. We are seeking artists working across all mediums who are interested in contributing to this bold, playful and reflective group exhibition. ✨ No Entry Fee ✨ All experience levels welcome ✨ Open to Mid North Coast Artists ✨ Selected works will be included in the exhibition 20 May – 20 June If you’d like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you. 📩 To apply or find out more, head to the Arts Mid North Coast Website- /artist-call-out-for-gather-a-community-exhibition-at-make-space-in-coffs-harbour/ Let’s GATHER together.

COMMON THREAD Artists at the beginning of their Shared Practice journey with Arts Mid North Coast will come together to present Common Thread. Presented at Port Macquarie MAKE/SPACE, the exhibition offers a considered snapshot of their current ideas, processes and emerging artistic directions. While each voice is distinct, a shared commitment to growth and creative development connects them. 📍 13–23 May 🎉 Opening Celebration: Thursday 14 May, 5.30–7.30pm- All Welcome :) 👋 Meet the artists in the space throughout the exhibition . #commonthread #portmacquarie #midnorthcoastartist #EmergingArtists #artexhibition #creativecommunity

🌟 Artist Spotlight: Marc Renshaw 🌟 This month, we are shining the spotlight on Marc Renshaw, a contemporary visual artist, arts educator at Nambucca Valley Phoenix, and Director of Big Fig Arts ARI in Bellingen. Primarily a printmaker, Marc uses a wide range of materials and techniques to create and exhibit his work. His practice blends traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches, reflecting his commitment to inclusive and engaging arts projects. Currently, Marc’s work is featured in group exhibitions at The Glasshouse (Port Macquarie), USQ A Block Gallery (Toowoomba), and Newcastle Art Space. He is also preparing for a solo exhibition at his Melbourne gallery later in 2026. With over 35 years in the arts, Marc is also a music producer and musician, and we’re proud to have him as one of the mentors in our Shared Practice program! You can read more about Marc and his work via our website: /artist-spotlight-marc-renshaw/. ( link in bio) Follow Marc: @marcrenshaw @bigfigarts Artworks: 1. MOUNTAINS WITHOUT BORDERS. Screenprint, etching, stencil, sewing 2. UN:TETHERED. Screenprint on BFK Rives cotton rag, Digital print on Unryu paper, rope, twine, timber board, paint, found discarded object. Images by Marc Renshaw.

ArtsBlast May issue is out now: Arts news, opportunities, events and funding across the Mid North Coast this month! See our link in bio for the latest newsletter.

RIVER SOUNDS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL IS BACK! Get ready for two unforgettable days of music, arts and connection! 15–16 May at Bellingen Showgrounds, this year’s line-up features 40+ artists across 4 stages, including local, Australian, and international talent. 🎶 Kick off the festival with an opening night on Friday, 15 May, presented by Great Southern Nights! Tickets now on sale via .au or via @riversoundsfestival #RiverSoundsFestival #MusicAndArts #Festival #CommunityVibes #Bellingen #GreatSouthernNights