Western Sydney musicians, producers and composers can now apply for a second round of free access to professional recording and rehearsal spaces in Parramatta. The residencies last one or two months and form part of a 12-month council trial to make community facilities more affordable. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the program aims to give local artists professional facilities at no cost. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, connected to western Sydney, and Australian citizens or permanent residents. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on November 2, 2026, with residencies running from January to June 2027.
The NSW Government is investing $600,000 in a new Vivid Sydney First Nations Light Accelerator. The program will connect emerging First Nations artists with motion graphic design studios and offer professional development and chances to showcase their work at the festival. It will create pathways for participation in 2027 and beyond and honours the late Rhoda Roberts, Vivid Sydney's inaugural First Nations Advisor. Vivid Sydney will return from 28 May to 19 June 2027.
Maranoa Council has adopted an Employee Volunteering Policy that lets eligible staff volunteer during working hours. Council has also set entry fees for the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre, which opens in seven weeks. Adult entry will be $5, child and concession entry $3, and a family casual pass $14.50. Council gave in-principle support to a Housing Activation Reserve, which would reinvest property sale or development proceeds into housing. It also approved a Club-funded refurbishment of the Members Bar at Bassett Park.
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Former Deloitte partner Heidi Forbes has co-founded Arthur Alley Studio with her husband, architect Matthew Allen. The social enterprise connects Australian artists, designers and makers through limited-edition homewares. Forbes says the business aims to create new income for creatives and keep local craftsmanship alive. All profits will be reinvested in the creative community. Forbes says the company's constitution commits it to this purpose. Within five years, she hopes the studio will ship internationally and take private commissions.
The federal government has named five artists for the Australian World Heritage Residency program, run by Creative Australia. The artists will work with communities and site partners to explore Australia's natural and cultural heritage. Mandy Quadrio will research cultural connections at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania. Mia and Georgia Boe will research cultural fire knowledge on K'gari, Queensland. David Doyle, Mary Rapp and Ellen Ferrier will also develop projects in New South Wales and Western Australia.
Geelong contemporary arts organisation Platform Arts is launching a seven-week celebration of 30 years of supporting creative work in the region. Running from 22 October to 12 December, the program includes an alumni exhibition, workshops, artist stories, archival material and public events. The organisation began in 1996 as the Courthouse Project and has since been known as Courthouse Arts, Courthouse Youth Arts and Platform Arts. Artistic director and co-chief executive Dr Amber Smith said the organisation is also looking to the future, and is asking the community to help fund new commissions for local artists.
