Dungog Arts Society was established to foster creative activities for its members and to further develop artistic awareness in Dungog.

How would you describe your organisation to a stranger? What is your role within it?
• Provide a focal point for the fostering of creative activities for all members of the community, and to further develop artistic awareness of both visual and performing arts.
• Promote local talent by providing a creative base and tourist facility of local significance.
• Engage in activities intended to develop the practice of arts and crafts in the community.
• To be the most progressive Arts Society in the Lower Hunter Region through participation, promotion, support and management.

My role in our Arts Society is as the Secretary and participating artist.

Why was the organisation created? What needs does it fulfil?
Our organisation (incorporated since July 2001) was created for those interested in visual or performing arts (music, drawing, painting, craft, etc).
Activities include –
Newsletters - notifying members of items of interest and events, posted or e-mailed to members monthly. All contributions welcomed.
Workshops & Demonstrations- held regularly on a variety of subjects.
Excursions - by bus or car/share, are arranged regularly to view various galleries and exhibitions.
Art Exhibitions- offer members the opportunity to exhibit their work. Our own open competitive exhibition is held annually. Invitations for members to show their work in other exhibitions are frequently received
Meetings - welcome members who would like to take an active part in the organising of our Society.
Volunteers - Assistance from our members is always greatly appreciated.

How many people are involved in the organisation and how would you describe a typical day at the office?
Our Arts Society currently has 72 members.

A typical day for our members would be in the creation of their art either in their own homes or by participating in our events, workshops or joining with members in our Workshop for painting whilst socialising.

How would you sum up your organisation’s ethos in 3 words?
To – “support, nurture, & appreciate”

Does your organisation receive any funding support and how do you go about finding funding?
Our organisation is funded by –
• an annual membership fee.
• Our local Real Estate Agent generously allows us the use of one of his properties as a workshop and gallery.
• Our Annual Exhibition is sponsored by Dungog Council, Dungog Lions Club, various local business houses, private citizens and art suppliers.
• Support and advice from Arts Upper Hunter in the past resulted in us receiving grants to fund a series of visual art workshops, and to bring the Sunwrae Ensemble to Dungog.

What are the greatest challenges and rewards about working in a regional area?
Our greatest challenge is to provide affordable support and tuition to those interested in the arts in our region (including students and pensioners). The cost of providing events, judges and tutors is often prohibitive when transport and accommodation is added to the cost.

The rewards are in the successful results of our exhibitions and events and the delight members receive when their work is appreciated.

What’s the organisation’s greatest achievement?
The success of our exhibitions and the increase in membership numbers.

What avenues have been the best ways to network with others and reach your audience?

• Our Newsletter sent to members and other Art Societies.
• Meetings.
• Advertising through our local Newspaper, Arts Upper Hunter, Flyers in shop windows, etc.

What have been some of the biggest learning curves along the path so far?
• The successful presentation of our exhibitions and events.
• Research, acquisition and popularity of tutors and workshops
• The increase in membership, which we attribute to the provision of our gallery/workshop. This venue has provided an outlet to work together, socialise, display and demonstrate works.

What’s something you might have done differently if you could foresee the outcome?
Some workshops did not initiate sufficient interest indicating the need for more research.

What advice would you give to others looking to get into arts/cultural work?
To aim to provide a diversified range of events & workshops in order to cater to the full community - as mentioned in our Mission Statement.

What are your organisation’s future plans?
To continue to follow our Mission Statement. Of course we would love to be able to afford a permanent venue for our workshop and gallery.

Contact details for the Dungog Art Society - Patricia Staker ( Secretary) - 4992 3304 - thestakers@bigpond.com

Case Study by Cherise Asmah