Regional Arts Australia (RAA), the peak body for arts in regional Australia, has announced five new strategic projects to support regional communities and boost the sustainability of arts programs in regional areas.

Taken together, these projects aim to increase artistic and creative engagement in regional areas, engage First Nations approaches, address youth mental health and wellbeing, increase diversity and inclusiveness, and support the development of new work.

Balmoral Mural by Rowena Martinich and Geoffrey Carran, supported by the Regional Arts Fund. Photo © Clare Ryan.

The five projects are:

Knowledge Circle – A First Nations-led project that contributes to the cultural safety and community wellbeing of First Nations communities as well as providing national awareness about diverse cultures and languages.

Local Giants – A multi-phased creative project that provides regional arts practitioners with a supportive pathway that connects artist residencies and producer training with creative development, presentation of new work and short-form touring.

Regional Scribes – A project that connects young Australians through creative engagement, storytelling and writing.

100K Creative Jobs Plan – A research project connecting creative jobs as a growth indicator in regional Australia. It will...