Bouddi Foundation awards initial round of grants

The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts has awarded an initial round of grants to local young artists.

Now in its 10th year, the Foundation has introduced two new awards.

A new creative writing award went to Hardys Bay writer Lily Cameron, who will put the money towards her academic studies in creative writing.

The new Narelle Jones Memorial Award went to Woy Woy singer-songwriter Emily Mills, who will receive both financial support for her work in songwriting and mentoring to help in developing an EP and in marketing and promotion.

Awards also went to Hardys Bay photographer Jai Bloomfield, St Hubert's Island ballerina Amber Lynch, Phegan's Bay singer-songwriter Ruby Archer and Phegans Bay visual artist, Zali Kassi.

Ruby Archer was also offered mentoring.

More grant winners will be announced with the Awards Event scheduled for the end of November.

The Foundations chair Mr John Bell said the Foundation's reputation and worth had been established "in the community, among teachers, parents, and especially the young artists themselves".

He said the process began with applications open from March to May, followed by a month of assessment and shortlisting by the panel's judges and then auditions at the Wagstaffe Community Hall in August.

"No one would have forecast auditions with masks, temperature-taking, and social distancing.

"Nonetheless, everyone displayed discipline, and nothing was lost in the standard of the performances or the quality of communication between grant applicants and their adjudication teams.

"With generous growth in donations, it is heart-warming that we are giving young artists hope, mentoring, and practical support at a time when the Arts community-at-large is struggling."

Applications came from 32 young artists, including dancers, singer/songwriters, painters, photographers, cinematographers, classical and popular instrumentalists, writers and art curators.

The full list of awardees will be announced by Mr Bell in November.

Source:

Media Release, 1 September 2020,

Joy Park, Bouddi Foundation for the Arts