Foundation announces arts grants program

The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts has announced that applications for its 2017 grants program will close on July 17.

"Two additional dedicated sponsorships will commence this year for our grants programs," said Foundation chairman Mr John Bell.

These two new awards are in addition to the normal annual grants from the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts which have totalled nearly $100,000 over the past five years, he said.

"Dancers, painters, potters, actors, writers, musicians of all stripes, even a puppeteer, all have benefited from our grants program.

"Applications for our 2017 grants are now open and I encourage our next wave of talented young artists to apply via bouddiarts.org.au/grants."

The Foundation now has an impressive track record for contributing to the development of some of the Peninsula's most promising young artists.

Ms Eva Li from Umina is a viola player, whose experience includes workshops with the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as a long history of contributing to the Central Coast Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.

Eva's grant helped to pay for her university courses this past year as well as attending the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp.

Tiana Young, also of Umina, is a two-time grant award recipient.

She is now studying voice at the Sydney Conservatorium as well as featuring in jazz and classical appearances at venues around Sydney and the Central Coast.

Young painter Jordan Richardson of Killcare is another two-time grant award recipient.

Jordan's grants supported his studies at the National Art School, graduating with an honours degree.

He has gone on to win high commendations in two internationally recognised art scholarships and held his first solo exhibition in a prestigious Sydney Gallery.

Jordan helps the Foundation with its talent development program and donating his art for fundraising events.

"The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts has offered continual support which goes beyond the initial monetary grant," he said.

Ms Miriam Jones of Pretty Beach is a folk fiddler who used her grant to go overseas to the USA where she studied bluegrass and folk fiddle from some of the country's top fiddlers.

Now back in Australia, she has become one of Australia's leading exponents of bluegrass, having spent 2015 studying the genre as a Folk Fellow at the National Library of Australia.

Leading two folk ensembles, she is a regular at the country's top folk festivals, and is actively recording as well.

Mr Bell praised the generosity of the Foundation's sponsors.

"We have many generous individuals who support us but now institutional and corporate sponsors are increasingly recognising the solid results that the Foundation is achieving in developing the young artists of our Central Coast community," Mr Bell said.

"Origin Music Group has advised me that for the next three years they will sponsor annual grants of up to $2500 in the music performing arts category including musical theatre, singing, and song writing.

"The Group is well-respected in the performing arts and we are delighted to have them join the Foundation in supporting our young people.

"Mr Graeme Anderson has been one of the Foundation's staunchest supporters.

"He believes in young people and he believes in getting behind them and encouraging them.

"'Their success is our inspiration,' he has said.

"He will donate $20,000 to the Foundation to provide a special award of $2000 each year for 10 years.

The award will be known as the Graeme Anderson Award for Artistic Excellence."

For more information about the grants program visit bouddiarts.org.au.

SOURCE:

Media release, 7 Jun 2017

Joy Park, Bouddi Foundation for the Arts