Museums & Galleries of NSW congratulates the recipients of the Audience Development Fund for 2024. The successful applicants developed proposals that targeted identified needs or gaps in their engagement programming with strong consultation and involvement of target groups and audiences to inform that development.

Five diverse projects were supported:

Orange Regional Gallery – Connecting to Place ($10,000)

Connecting to Place aims to build new and ongoing relationships with migrant and refugee communities in Orange in partnership with Orange Migrant & Refugee Support Services, artist educator Gill Nicol and artist Sammy Hawker. The project includes staff training and eight artist educator led structured workshops interacting with contemporary art, with a focus on wellbeing and social connections. Participants will talk about, look at and make art, connecting to place, both individually and collectively.

Lismore Regional Gallery – Strengthening Inclusion ($10,000)

Strengthening Inclusion is a series of programs designed to address diverse accessibility needs, improve gallery spaces, and enhance communication with audiences. Programs include the recording of curator and artist talks for exhibitions creating an accessible podcast; filming of AUSLAN tours to be available online; the design of autism friendly visual stories and wayfinding signage; 10 noisy hour programs over 12 months incorporating performance, dance and embodied arts tours; and the design and creation of a sensory kit for visitors.

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre – Blue Mountains City Art Gallery – ARTbabies ($5,009)

ARTbabies will provide drop in artist led creative sessions for 0-5 year olds and their carers, including activities that foster connection and learning through exploring texture, colour, shape, sound and touch. The project will partner with Council’s Community Development Department, Blue Mountains Theatre and Hub teams and artist Jennifer Brady.

Newcastle Art Gallery – Access and Audio Guide ($10,000)

The Gallery will develop an innovative Access and Audio Guide to enrich visitors’ experiences with its collection and exhibitions. The project will provide permanent onsite programming for audiences with disability or who are d/Deaf, and artist led staff workshops on how to write audio descriptions through a collaboration with Access Lab artist Fayan dÉvie.

Broken Hill City Art Gallery – Digital Art Hub ($9,991)

The Digital Art Hub project will empower young people with workshops in new technologies and digital art. Working with schools, community organisations, and local artists, it bridges the technology gap and equips participants with essential skills for future opportunities in creative industries. The project will facilitate collaborations with the AACES (Aboriginal Art and Cultural Education Sistas), a partnership between Broken Hill High School, the Broken Hill City Art Gallery and Maari Ma Health Service, guest artist Charlotte Hayward, and local artists, Jarrod Prince and Priscilla McIntosh.