Hunter Artstart is a project of Arts Upper Hunter Inc, funded byTAFE NSW Access and General Education .

The 2011 Artstart project consisted of two Creative Arts Retreats and a small grants program.

Small Grants Program

Arts Upper Hunter has funded youth arts projects in the following local government areas: Singleton (theatre) , Muswellbrook (drumming) , Upper Hunter (theatre), Dungog (film) , Lake Macquarie (mural), Newcastle (creating zine), Cessnock (photography) , Port Stephens (multi-arts), Maitland (visual arts) and Gloucester (film). The final part of our Artstart will be writing workshops in local high schools.

Creative Camps

The purpose was to provide opportunities for young people to become involved in arts and cultural activities. The retreats were designed to enable skill development and opportunities for networking with peers. Professional artists ran the two workshops held at Riverwood Downs, near Gloucester. .

Riverwood Downs
June 23 - 26 - Visual Arts
July 4-8 - Song writing and Singing ( vocal workshops)

There was a non refundable registration fee of $25.00 . This is the only cost, as all food and accommodation as well as the workshops is funded by TAFE NSW through their Artstart program.

For more details about this project please call Mark Reedman, Arts Upper Hunter on 0409 382 509.