Arts and culture

Customer Services

02 6643 0200

Address

Locked Bag 23, Grafton 2460
Email

council@clarence.nsw.gov.au
Council Offices:

2 Prince Street, Grafton

50 River Street, Maclean

Cultural development and the Clarence Valley

Find out how you can receive support to develop your arts and cultural projects and initiatives.

You can access a range of cultural development services designed to increase skills and develop the audiences for arts and cultural organisations in the Clarence Valley. These services include:

Professional training seminars and workshops;
Free community events such as film screenings and exhibitions;
Arts and cultural competitions and exhibitions;
Promotional support; and
Funding opportunities.

If you would like to receive emails with information about cultural and arts activities in the Clarence Valley, send an email to culture@clarence.nsw.gov.au with the subject 'subscribe'.

Upcoming events

What?	Where?	When?	Description and more information
The Criterion Theatre Company - Rockin' Robin	Criterion Theatre, 149 Oliver St Grafton	16 - 25 May	The Criterion Theatre Company's first production for 2013 will be Rockin' Robin. The musical boasts rock classics including The Wanderer, Rockin' Robin, Locomotion and many more. The show features a mixed cast of Criterion Theatre veterans and new-comers and will open at Grafton's Criterion Theatre on Thursday 16 May. Evening performances will be held on 16-18 May and 23-25 May, plus a matinee on Sunday 19 May. Tickets are $15 per person for preview night (16 May) and the matinee (19 May) and $20 per person for all other shows. Tickets available now at the Book Warehouse in Prince St, Grafton.
Jacaranda City Quilters - Quilt Exhibition and Challenge	Grafton Community & Function Centre, Duke Street, Grafton	24 - 26 May	Jacaranda City Quilters invites you its upcoming Quilt Exhibition and Challenge. There will be lots of quilts, wall hangings and quilted items on display. There will also be trader tables selling fabric, threads, templates and quilting books. The Grafton Town Quilt will also be on display. Admission $5; under 16 years free. Refreshments available. Open 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday; 10am - 4pm Sunday. For more information contact Anne Carter on 6643 1353 or email annecarter63@hotmail.com. Alternatively contact Marian Brown on 6644 9434 or email marianhelen@dodo.com.au.
Maclean High School - Chicago The Musical	Maclean Civic Hall, River Street, Maclean	24 May - 1 June	Maclean High School in association with Origin Theatrical presents Chicago The Musical at Maclean Civic Hall. Performances start 7pm on May 24, 25, 30, 31 and June 1. Tickets available soon from Maclean High School and Ripples Cafe. NOTE: Chicago The Musical contains adult themes and low level course language.
Grafton Theatre Company - Even More Welcome	Pelican Playhouse, 81 Through St, South Grafton	24 May - 2 June	Grafton Theatre Company Inc presents Even More Welcome written and directed by Dorothy Hillis. Performances start at 8pm on May 24, 25, 31 and June 1. Matinee performances start at 2pm on Sunday May 26 and Sunday June 2. Bookings at Book Warehouse. Tickets are also available at the door - adults $15; concessions $13; and groups of 10 or more $10. For more information go to graftontheatrecompany.org.au.
Saraton Theatre - Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow	Saraton Theatre, Grafton	Thursday 30 May, 8pm	Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is back, with a big night of comedy from some of the world’s funniest comedians. Our cast of intrepid travelling comedians is hitting the road, entertaining crowds all across Australia. You can be a part of the fun when we roll into your town with a huge show featuring some of the best from this year’s Festival. Performances may contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 15 years or older. Ticket prices: Adults $40; seniors/students $37 (includes booking fee). For more information go to www.saraton.com.
100th Grafton Cup Launch	Grafton Regional Gallery, Fitzroy St Grafton	Friday 31 May, 6pm	100th Grafton Cup Launch will be held at the Grafton Regional Gallery, Fitzroy Street, Grafton, starting at 6.00pm. Vintage Fashion Parade Contemporary Fashions on show, featuring complete outfits, millinery, shoes and Accessories from Grafton Shoppingworld stores and private collections. $20.00 Bookings from Clarence River Jockey Club 6642 2566. Includes canapés and a complimentary drink on arrival. Dress: Cocktail. Official launch of the 2013 XXXX Gold July Racing Carnival and the Grafton Shoppingworld Fashions on the Field.
Grafton Regional Gallery - Art With Baby	Grafton Regional Gallery, Fitzroy St Grafton	Wednesday 4 June, 10am	Art with Baby – Grafton Regional Gallery at 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton. Going to the gallery with baby has never been so easy. 10.00am every first Tuesday of the month. A social program for Mums, Dads and Carers. 2 Coffees for the price of 1 at the Gallery Café + changing special offers. Pram friendly Gallery Tour. Contact: 6642 3177. Website: www.graftongallery.nsw.gov.au.
The Big Ol' Bus Band	Criterion Theatre, Grafton	Friday 7 June, 8pm	The Big Ol' Bus Band is a 9 piece band that started in Nashville Tennessee, and in the past year has played on the biggest blues and jazz festival mainstages around the country. This Australian chapter of the band carries performers with their own credentials, including credits with Keith Urban, Lou Rawls, Smokey Robinson, INXS, Human Nature, Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Barnes, James Morrison and more. Pre-book tickets online at www.thebigolbusband.com or through Buckley's Music. Tickets $32 plus booking fee. You can find more music, pics and videos online at www.thebigolbusband.com.
Yamba Museum - VISION4CHANGE Exhibition	Yamba Museum, River Street Yamba	8 June - 15 July	VISION4CHANGE is an Aboriginal Arts Exhibition curated by Debrah Novak. Four Clarence Valley Museums, Yamba, Grafton, Maclean and Lawrence, have formally partnered for an exhibition to showcase local Aboriginal Culture through photographs. For more information, go to www.pyhsmuseum.org.au.
Clarence Valley Conservatorium - Roman Rudnytsky Piano Recital	Clarence Valley Conservatorium, 8 Villiers St, Grafton	Friday 14 June, 7pm	Roman Rudnytsky is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, has been a prizewinner in many piano competitions and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras around the world. This is his 18th tour of Australia with over 40 recitals and masterclassess throughout the nation. Recital includes music by Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Grieg, Manuel de Falla, Holst and Stravinsky. Friday 14 June, 7pm at Clarence Valley Conservatorium. Tickets $25 adults, $10 students (under 18). Tickets available from the Conservatorium or at the door. For more information, go to www.cvcon.com.au or phone 6643 3555.
City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society - Drama Section	Salvation Army Hall Oliver Street, Grafton	14 - 15 June	City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society - 59th Annual Event Drama Section - for more information contact Diana Welch on (02) 6643 3384
Clarence Valley Conservatorium - Charisma Trios & Fantasy	Clarence Valley Conservatorium, 8 Villiers St, Grafton	Friday 21 June, 7pm	Charisma enjoys an international reputation for lively and virtuosic music-making, receiving critical acclaim for tours in Australasia and Europe. The trio moves easily across all kinds of musical boundaries - from classical to blues, avant-garde to tangos and minimalist to multi-media works. Performance includes music by Beethoven, Muczynski, Kahn and Stutschewsky. Friday 21 June, 7pm at Clarence Valley Conservatorium. Tickets $25 adults, $10 students (under 18). Tickets available from the Conservatorium or at the door. For more information, go to www.cvcon.com.au or phone 6643 3555.
Friends of Grafton Gallery - Soup with Friends	Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy St Grafton	Sunday 23 June, 11.30am	Soup with Friends will be held at the Grafton Regional Gallery on Sunday 23 June. $25 FoGG members, $30 non-members. Includes coffe and cake; full bar service available; no BYO. Prepaid bookings essential by calling 6642 3177. A Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award fundraiser.
Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod	Maclean Civic Hall, River Street, Maclean	24 - 29 June	This year’s Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod, presented in the Maclean Civic Hall will be held from Monday 24^th June to Saturday 29^th June and each day will provide morning, afternoon and evening sessions. The community is invited to attend and for a small entry fee will be able to enjoy the musical performance excellence of our “budding” and more experienced musicians. The organising committee is very pleased to be able to welcome Mr Richard Morphew as its visiting adjudicator of the 2013 eisteddfod. For more information, please contact Sharon Barrington on sharonbarrington@hotmail.com.
Simply Hand Made Markets	Raymond Laurie Sports Complex, Yamba	Sunday 30 June, 9am - 2pm	Simply Hand Markets at Yamba is bringing together talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all to one destination. This Event will be held at the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre, Angourie Road, Yamba (next to Yamba Pool).The markets will be open to the public from 9.00am until 2.00pm. This is a unique event for Yamba to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate quality, handcrafted and locally designed items. Contact: Gabrielle or Lisa on 6646 3388. Stallholders: If you require any further details regarding Simply Handmade Markets at Yamba, please contact Gabrielle Hawke or Lisa O’Brien at Simply Crafts on 6646 3388 to register your interest.
Lower Clarence Arts & Crafts Association Inc. – 48^th Annual Open Competitive Arts and Crafts Exhibition	Gulmarrad Public School, Brooms Head Road, Gulmarrad	5 – 7 July	The Lower Clarence Arts & Crafts Association’s annual exhibition will include displays of fine art, patchwork and quilting, creative needlework, fabric and fibre design, jewellery and photography. There will also be a number of daily demonstrations and an art and crafts stalls open on Saturday and Sunday. Open Friday 5 and Saturday 6 July, 9am to 4.30pm; and Sunday 7 July, 9.30am to 2.30pm. Admission $5 adults, children under 12 FREE. The school canteen will be open daily. For more information, go to www.lcaca.org.
Saraton Theatre - Lee Kernaghan - Beautiful Noise Tour	Saraton Theatre, Grafton	Thursday 25 July, 8pm	Tickets are on sale now for Lee Kernaghan - Beautiful Noise Tour which will take place at Saraton Theatre on 25 July. Includes special guests The Wolfe Brothers. Ticket prices: Adults $49; seniors/students $44; children $29. For more information go to www.saraton.com.
City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society - Schools Day	South Grafton High School Hall Tyson Street, South Grafton	29 - 31 July	City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society - 59th Annual Event Schools day - for more information contact Diana Welch on (02) 6643 3384.
Saraton Theatre - John Williamson, Big Red Tour	Saraton Theatre, 99 Prince St, Grafton	Friday 29 November, 8pm	John Williamson on his "Big Red Tour". Friday 29th November 2013 at 8pm. Tickets on Sale NOW. Adults - $49+ $2 booking fee. Concession - $47+ $2 booking fee. Children - $33+ $2 booking fee. Allocated seating. Read more...

If you have an cultural workshop, activity or event coming up that you would like to have listed above, please send an email to culture@clarence.nsw.gov.au.

For information on other workshops, activities and events in the Northern Rivers Region, go to the Arts Northern Rivers' What's On page.

Funding opportunities

You may be eligible for funding from Council for your project as part of the Community Initiatives Program or the Cultural and Sports Trust Fund. Our Community Groups Assistance Officer can also offer you support when you are preparing applications for funding from other government bodies.

For more information or funding application support, please contact Kath Arndell, Community Groups Assistance Officer by email kath.arndell@clarence.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 6645 0015.