On May 26 & 27, as part of Sydney’s Vivid Festival, LGNSW organised their 2014 Cultural Awards & Summit. The summit was held in the roof top function centre of the Museum of Contemporary Art overlooking Circular Quay. At the end of both days delegates were given the opportunity to see the spectacular Vivid light show.
The Summit itself was developed as an opportunity for shortlisted award applicants to present their projects to the assembled audience. Presentations were categorised in various media and themes, leading to discussions about, and recognition of, the vast amount of cultural programming that stems from initiatives undertaken by local councils throughout the state.
Aboriginal Arts and Culture, Performing Arts Initiatives, Cultural Tourism, Creative Ageing and Arts in Health, Young People and Heritage, History, Museum and Keeping Place Initiatives were a few of the topics discussed.
Presentations were categorised in various media and themes in recognition of the vast amount of cultural programming that stems from initiatives undertaken by local councils throughout the state.
The awards were presented at a gala dinner where a crowd of over 100 eagerly awaited the announcements which were largely dominated by museum and gallery projects.
Western Plains Cultural Centre won an Award for their Dendroglyph (Carved Tree) installation. Blacktown Arts Centre was successful, winning an Award for their The Native Institute project and Casula Powerhouse staff were overwhelmed to have two of their projects recognised. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and the Tweed Regional Museum were recognised as award winning capital projects, Tweed in particular gained attention for their off-site museum collection store.
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre gained recognition for its public and private partnership development model and Broken Hill City Council was highly commended for the recently completed Art Store addition to their regional gallery. Other museum and gallery winners included Grafton Regional Gallery, Hazelhurst, Parramatta Artist Studios and Bankstown Arts Centre.
The night’s big award for Individual Achievement went to Susi Muddiman, Director of Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, in Murwillumbah. Susi has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in NSW regional galleries. Most recently she led the development of Tweed’s Olley Art Centre, known affectionately as Olleywood. A name that also references the showbiz style, determination and passion Susi brings to her work on a daily basis.
The Awards dinner at NSW parliament House was hosted by Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, who was joined by NSW Minister for Local Government, the Hon Paul Toole.
Congratulations to all award winners!
