Last year Arts Northern Rivers Supported 6 Community Arts project through the CASP Grants of up to $5000. Explore the completed projects below.
Benjo Kazue – Kyogle Zine + Print Fair
In April this year the Northern Rivers Zine Fair was held as part of Youth Week 2025 and was a free community focused celebration of independent publishing, zines, and DIY art culture.
The community came together to buy and sell each other’s Zines, create together, and celebrate with live performances from Lismore-based bands Dahlia and Masochist.
The zine fair was a vibrant and meaningful event that brought fresh energy to the Kyogle Shire, offering something new, creative, and exciting for the local community. It was a collaborative effort bring together groups such as Queer Family, Kyogle Together, Kyogle Youth Action, and the Kyogle Council which helped build strong community ties and gave the event a grassroots authenticity that really resonated with everyone who came.
Kerenza Ebejer - A Future Lens
Over a series of hands-on workshops, participants came together to explore the art of documentary filmmaking, learning everything from script writing and performance to filming and editing. No experience was needed, just a willingness to share, learn, and connect.
The workshops created a safe and supportive space for deep storytelling and technical skill-building, with participants forming strong bonds as they brought their personal stories to life. One highlight was the spirit of collaboration. Those with experience generously guided those who were new, fostering a real sense of shared learning and creative trust.
The project culminated in a community screening event and an online showcase, allowing participants to celebrate their work with family and friends. A Future Lens has grown into an inspiring example of socially engaged art that uplifts and empowers a vital part of our community.
The project continues to grow and evolve as Karenza develops a second round of the program. Proving just how transformative storytelling can be when shared with heart, purpose, and community.
Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre - Kinship Doobai Dancers
The workshops created a nurturing space for connection, cultural expression, and movement. Elders and language custodians were deeply involved, Aunty Charlene Ezmin-Boyd joined the group in dance, while the Tweed Bundjalung Language Group were invited to share in the journey.
From rich collaboration emerged a new suite of dances: The Moon Dance, Salt Water Dance, Bunyarabugalma Dance, Weaving Dance, and Bird Dance. Each grounded in culture, storytelling, and connection to Country.
The Kinship Doobai Dancers presented some of these new dances at the Mother Spirit Gathering and Yarrawarra Cultural Centre in June this year, with over 500 women present. Here the dancers taught the Pippi Dance, Ngali Yumbulah, in a workshop of 150 participants, and performed The Moon Dance for the first time, accompanied by Gumbaynggirr Elder Aunty Bea Ballangary.
Seed Arts Australia - The Con Story: Aim Higher Walk the Wire
In December 2024, SeedArts brought a dynamic new workshop and performance package to Nimbin Central School, inspired by the incredible life of Indigenous circus legend Con Colleano.
Supported by Arts Northern Rivers’ CASP funding, The Con Story: Aim Higher Walk the Wire was a one-day creative experience packed with circus, movement, music and storytelling, designed for students from kindergarten through to Year 12. The project celebrated positive risk-taking, identity, and resilience. Core themes from Colleano’s inspiring journey from rural Australia to international stardom as a tightrope walker.
Six local artists worked alongside students to create a series of workshops that brought the spirit of early 1900s circus to life. From wirewalking to physical theatre, every class took part in these hands-on sessions.
The day culminated in a performance by 40–50 students from Years 5–12 performing alongside the SeedArts team in front of the entire school. There were 1930s costumes, popcorn, and even a circus set. Turning the school hall into a full creative playground.
With support from the school’s Indigenous Awareness Program and the generous energy of the whole school community, The Con Story became a joyful celebration of learning, culture, creativity, and courage. A powerful example of how stories from the past can inspire the next generation to aim higher.
Sprung! Integrated Dance Theatre Inc - Dis-co Ball 2024
On November 23rd, 2024, the A&I Hall in Bangalow lit up with glitter, movement and joy for Dis-Co Ball 2024, Sprung!! Dance Theatre’s flagship end-of-year celebration.
Supported by Arts Northern Rivers through the CASP, Dis-Co Ball brought together d/Deaf and disabled artists, support workers, families, and the wider Northern Rivers community for a high-energy night of performance, pride, and connection. Part showcase, part party, the event broke down barriers between performers and audience, inviting everyone to join the dance floor and celebrate together.
A total of 21 performers from Sprung’s Ensemble and Community programs took the stage with original works developed throughout the year. Led by Ensemble artist Tara Coughlan, audience members even had the chance to learn choreography and jump in. Transforming the night into a shared experience of creative movement.
Dis-Co Ball has become a cornerstone event for Sprung, centring disabled artists and creating a safe, inclusive, and joy-filled space for all. Thanks to CASP support, the 2024 edition reached new heights in participation and production—proving once again that when everyone is invited to the floor, the whole community shines.
Tropical Fruits - Arts and Culture program at Tropical Fruits New Year Festival
As part of Australia’s longest-running regional LGBTQIA+ festival, the Tropical Fruits NYE Festival in Lismore continues to shine as a joyful, grassroots celebration of community, identity and art in the Northern Rivers.
In 2024, with support from Arts Northern Rivers, Tropical Fruits expanded its Arts & Culture Program, a vibrant showcase of workshops, exhibitions, roving performances and cabaret, all proudly disability-led and designed to foster fun, safety, and inclusion.
The program built on a successful 2023 pilot, this time supporting 43 artists and presenters to deliver 24 creative skill-sharing workshops in areas like dance, creative writing, zine-making and interactive art. Two cabaret shows and a full performance program on the Nest Stage featured 62 queer artists, while a visual art exhibition showcased 137 works from 36 artists, 47 of which were sold.
At the heart of this program is a commitment to reducing rural LGBTQIA+ isolation and building strong, inclusive networks through art and storytelling. With a vision to grow even further in 2025, Tropical Fruits continues to be a vital part of the cultural fabric of the Northern Rivers, where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and encouraged to shine.
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