2026 CASP & UNLOCKED Grant Recipients Announced

Murray Arts has committed $35,000 in grant funds for regional creatives in 2026 with the announcement of the successful recipients of the Country Arts Support Program and UNLOCKED professional development grant program.

The grants will fund a diverse range of projects and activities across the Murray Arts footprint, (Albury City, Federation Shire, Indigo Shire, Greater Hume Shire, Towong Shire and Wodonga City) during the organisation’s 30^th anniversary year.

Murray Arts Executive Director Lauren Black said it was a great way to start our birthday celebrations, “The region is buzzing with creative activity from community to professional and across all disciplines.” Ms Black said. “We are delighted to support these creatives and creative organisations who are reaching across diverse audiences and making a significant impact in our community.”

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) has been a constant throughout the organisation’s 30 years of operation, seeing countless extraordinary events come to life and providing the seed money for important arts and cultural initiatives.

This year’s successful recipients of the CASP Project grants include Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra, Beechworth Biennale, Creators ArtSpace Wodonga and Savernake School of the Arts.

“We can’t wait to share our community’s long history of creative successes and unique regional and rural stories across 2026.”

CASP is an annual grants program funded through the NSW Government Create NSW funding and administered by Murray Arts. The program aims to support a creative and vibrant regional NSW arts scene with applicants able to apply for up to $5,000, Eligible activities included workshops, exhibitions, performances, artist-in-residence programs, and public art and design projects.

Murray Arts UNLOCKED Professional Development program awards ten grants of $1500 to support a local creatives to take that next step in their career such as a residency, purchasing material or equipment to develop creative work, attend an event or conference or collaborating with a creative mentor.

FUNDED CASP 2026 PROJECTS

Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra

The Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with Wiradjuri Elder Uncle Darren Wighton and composer Gordon Kerry to create a Musical Acknowledgement of Country. Developed through a community workshop in 2026, the project aims to connect local stories, culture and language with orchestral sound, honouring and reflecting the Country we perform on.

Beechworth Biennale

The Beechworth Biennale 2026 is a free contemporary art event held across the town with site-responsive artworks installed in public and historic spaces. The event highlights the town’s unique architectural and natural features and celebrates the many layers of history, from First Nations, Gold Rush to the imagined potential and hopes for the future.

Creators ArtSpace

Creators Artspace is proud to present an exciting series of printmaking workshops, featuring a diverse range of techniques and approaches led by both established and newly invited artists. Designed to attract and inspire a broad regional audience, the program includes jigsaw printing, screen printing, experimental botanical cyanotypes, mixed-media bookmaking, photogravure and more. Workshops are suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners looking to extend and enrich their skills.

Savernake School of the Arts

Savernake will celebrate a major milestone in July 2026 with the Savernake Hall Centenary Celebration, marking 100 years of its much-loved community hall. The event will feature comedian Damien Callinan’s Hall Stories, a community meal, historical displays, and family entertainment, bringing together locals and past residents to honour the hall’s legacy and strengthen community spirit.

2026 Successful UNLOCKED Professional Development Grant recipients are:

Brendan Hogan, Playwright
Donna Caffrey, Collage Artist
Elizabeth Tidd, Museum Curator
Joanne Diver, Ceramicist
Kieran Jack, Cartoonist
Kylie Clarke, Author
Marnie Korneluk, Artist
Megan Strauss, Dancer
Mieke Bosland, Singer/Songwriter
Penelope McGufficke, Artist