Opportunities for artists
Murray River Council is passionate about the arts. We want to encourage our artists, creatives and those who support the arts throughout our community. We have a strong link with South West Arts who offer workshops, programs and a range of professional development opportunities for local people.
Links for artists
Provides strategic direction for sustainable arts and cultural development in the south-west of New South Wales. Over the last 25 years, South West Arts has enhanced the cultural life of communities in the area.
Its members share a fundamental belief that the arts bring communities closer together, creating a better environment and quality of life. There are also economic advantages where arts and cultural development creates employment and encourages tourism by promoting and developing the identity of the region.
South West Arts has played a key role in developing the Outback Theatre Program, a mobile youth and community theatre resource servicing western NSW. It was also instrumental in establishing a music program – South West Music Regional Conservatorium, which is now based in Deniliquin.
South West Music Regional Conservatorium provides quality music education and the opportunity for musicians to develop their performance and ensemble skills.
Music is an important part of every culture and is a shared activity. Students are offered individual lessons and are also encouraged to participate in ensemble or band lessons.
SWMRC currently provides lessons in Piano, Guitar, Double Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele, Banjo, Cello, Violin, Viola, Flute, Brass, Drum Kit, Percussion, Voice, Band, Classroom Music and Early Childhood Music.
While SWMRC is based in Deniliquin, music programs cater for over 200 students, many of whom are taught in schools during school hours, in townships such as Moulamein, Balranald, Finley, Barooga, Jerilderie, Moama and Hay. Students receive individual lessons and are encouraged to form ensembles. Students regularly perform at community events including the Ute Muster.
SWMRC aims to provide adults and children with the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of musical instruments. SWMRC also has a number of string, woodwind and brass instruments available for hire.
The Echuca Moama Arts Initiative (EMAI) was established in October 2010. EMAI is a community group that began as a result of the Echuca Moama District Planning Process of which Arts and Culture was identified as one of five key categories of importance to the community.
A committed band of members began meeting to bring several goals to fruition. These included, securing a suitable space for exhibitions, workshops and performances; developing a network of artisans and arts enthusiasts and raising the profile of the Arts in our region.
The Foundry Arts Space was opened in December 2015 by the Echuca Moama Arts Initiative (EMAI).
The Foundry Arts Space is situated on the edge of the Murray River in the popular, historic Port of Echuca and is a unique gallery, workshop and performance venue operating out of the old Freeman’s Foundry which stands on the site of the original Hopwood’s Store, one of the first buildings in Echuca.
The team at the Foundry Arts Space welcomes Visual artists, performers and other artisans practising in all media to submit a proposal for exhibiting in our program or hosting an event
GRTG is a group of dedicated amateur performers who work with great enthusiasm to prepare and perform shows for the local community, with the occasional performance being taken on tour. The group provides the opportunity for local talent, known and new, to find, develop and hone their skills and love of all things theatre. The age range, though depending on the show, can be from 12 to 80, and as everyone comes together regularly to rehearse, sing, practice scenes, dance, dialogue, build, paint, sew, play with light and sound, laugh and grow new friendships, a theatre family is born.
Moulamein is home to a locally-run art gallery where visitors can pop in for coffee and cake whilst enjoying a range of art, craft, and produce from local artists.
At Moulamein Art Gallery you can talk with the artists who volunteer their time to open the gallery and serve you coffee. Beside the gallery is a newly built Woolshed Pavilion by the men’s shed group.
Open Thursday and Friday 10am - 4pm or by appointment.
Art Workshops and exhibition openings are held regularly.