Regional Arts WA

16/10/2026

Are you an artist in the Peel region? This could be the step up you need! ⬆

There’s a blank canvas waiting to be transformed at Mataya in the heart of Mandurah - and they’re looking for a local artist to bring it to life.

The outdoor staircase is set to become an eye-catching art installation, with a paid commission opportunity available for a local creative.

Whether your style is bold and vibrant, coastal, abstract or something completely different, this could be a great opportunity to showcase your work in a prominent local space.

If you’re an artist, or know someone who would be perfect for it, get in touch with Mataya Eatery by DM with some information about yourself, examples of your work and any ideas you have for the space.

Let’s support our local artists and add a little more colour to Mandurah!

15/10/2026

From New South Wales to Indonesia and Brazil, this past round of Quick Response Grants will be taking regional Western Australian creatives around the world, supported by $8,930 in funding.

The Quick Response Grant is a Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government program managed by Regional Arts Australia and delivered through Regional Arts WA.

Congratulations to this round's recipients:
💃 Adelina Larsson Mendoza will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia for the ‘Indonesian Dance Festival’ to strengthen international relationships, expand professional networks, and foster artistic exchange between Indonesia and regional Western Australia through STRUT Dance.

🎤 Annette Carmichael Projects will travel to Tathra, NSW for the ‘Groundswell 2026’ symposium to share innovative regional arts methodologies, build national partnerships, strengthen leadership skills, and contribute to sector-wide conversations.

🌿 Bernadette Trench-Thiedeman will travel to Brazil for the 'LABVERDE Speculative Ecologies Residency' in the Amazon region, and the 'Kaaysa Art Residency' in Boiçucanga to collaborate with artists, scientists, and communities affected by climate disasters.

🔗 Read more: https://regionalartswa.org.au/quick-response-grant-takes-three-regional-artists-around-the-world/
💸 Do you have a last minute opportunity? This month's round of Quick Response Grant applications are open until the end of October: https://regionalartswa.org.au/funding/quick-response-grant/
✈️ Help us get more regional artists out there! This AusArt Day (22 October), we’re raising money for our new regional artist travel fund, Get Me There: https://regionalartswa.org.au/get-me-there-help-a-regional-wa-artist-make-the-journey-this-ausart-day/

📸 Quick Response Grant recipient Charlotte White (left) at the Essence of Hoi An Craftsmanship Festival in Vietnam. Image courtesy of Charlotte White.

15/10/2026

From the Surface brings together works by two Western Australian First Nations artists, Mary-Lou Orliyarli Divilli and Nuriah Jadai. Working across photography, painting and design, both artists showcase the places, people and stories that shape who they are. The exhibition brings together two distinct photographic practices grounded in Country, culture, family and lived experience.

Mary-Lou and Nuriah will both be in the gallery from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October (10am–3pm) to have a chat about their work and practice, and where it's heading.

📍 Joe’s Printing (45 Cliff Street, Walyalup / Fremantle)
📅 Exhibition runs 16-23 October
🎟️ FREE ENTRY
🔗 Find out more: https://fremantledesignweek.com/event/from-the-surface-country-culture-connection/

'From the Surface: Country, Culture, Connection with Camera Story' is proudly supported by the Regional Arts Australia Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government program delivered through Regional Arts WA.

15/10/2026

Don't miss out on registrations for next week's FREE governance session with Kate Larsen Keys!

14/10/2026

Sometimes an artist's next big opportunity is far from home; it's even farther if you live in regional Western Australia. Our state is HUGE!

Here’s what the journey looks like from Tom Price in our Pilbara region:
🚗 Tom Price to Paraburdoo Airport: approx. 80 km | 1 hr drive
✈️ Paraburdoo to Perth: approx. 990 km | 1 hr 50 min
✈️ Perth to Sydney: approx. 3,280 km | 4 hr 15 min
✈️ Sydney to Los Angeles: approx. 12,050 km | 13 hr 45 min
✈️ Los Angeles to New York: approx. 3,975 km | 5 hr 30 min

Total: approx. 20,400 km and 26+ hours of travel (before a single stopover). That’s about half the distance around the planet (just to get to Perth... kidding!).

This AusArt Day, we want to help make art happen no matter where you live in WA. We want to fund a portion of the journey with a new travel fund called Get Me There, so more artists can say yes when the big opportunity calls.

We'd love for you to help: https://regionalartswa.org.au/get-me-there-help-a-regional-wa-artist-make-the-journey-this-ausart-day

Creative Australia

12/10/2026

"In a small shed on the outskirts of Albany, Colin Hanssen is unlocking his dormant talent."

Since picking up the paint brush six months ago, Albany artist, Colin Hanssen, has now wrapped up his first-time exhibition as part of ArtSouth WA and the Southern Art & Craft Trail.

📺 Watch the feature (starts at 16:21): https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NU2608W284S00
📰 Or read his story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-11/wa-artist-uses-wheelchair-to-create-abstract-art/107243532

The Southern Art & Craft Trail is presented by ArtSouth WA, proudly supported by the WA Government through Regional Arts WA and a valued member of the Regional Arts Network.

Colin Hanssen was not expected to live past his first birthday, but now the 31-year-old has defied the odds and found his voice through art.

12/10/2026

🎨✈️ This AusArt Day (Thursday 22nd October), we’re raising money for our new regional artist travel fund, Get Me There.

Find out how you can help: https://regionalartswa.org.au/get-me-there-help-a-regional-wa-artist-make-the-journey-this-ausart-day/

12/10/2026

⏰ Apply 1 - 31 October
⚠️ For last-minute opportunities
🔗 https://regionalartswa.org.au/funding/quick-response-grant/

Quick Response Grants are for last-minute opportunities with an immediate, time-sensitive need. Individuals can apply for Quick Response Grants up to $3,000, and organisations can apply for up to $5,000.

The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia. The program is managed by Regional Arts Australia and delivered in Western Australia by Regional Arts WA.

📸
1: I Heart Songwriting Club retreat in Wild Mountain, Queensland. Photo by Franceca de Valence.
2: Elliot Beurteaux at the National Training Project, held at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Photo by Ian Sutherland.

10/10/2026

📚 Which regional Western Australian bookshop are you visiting this Love Your Bookshop day? Tag them in the comments, let's show them some love! Love Your Bookshop

🔗Find out more: https://loveyourbookshop.org.au/love-your-bookshop-day/

📸 Quick Response Grant recipient, Molly Schmidt signing books at Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Newtown, NSW. Photo by Jenny Schmidt.

09/10/2026

It's your last weekend to catch the Powerhouse Wanti II exhibition at Courthouse Gallery+Studio, Port Hedland. Don't miss it!

This exhibition is curated by Sylvia Wilson, our first arts worker to be featured in Behind the Scenes. Read more: https://regionalartswa.org.au/behind-the-scenes-sylvia-wilson/

Martumili Artists The Junction Co.

📸 Sylvia Wilson and mentor Zali Morgan during curatorial sessions for Powerhouse Wanti II in Newman, Juyl 2026. Image by Bo Wong, courtesy of Martumili Artists.