Cootamundra Creative Arts and Cultural Centre (CCACC) Committee
A S355 Committee of the Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council.
Responsible for the direction of programming and activities at TACC.
The AGM of the S355 Cootamundra Creative Arts and Cultural Centre (CCACC) Committee was held on Thursday 20th July 2023 at TACC.
The committee for 2023-24 are;
Chairperson: Amanda-Lee Boatswain
Vice Chairperson: Julie Cowell
Treasurer: Shane Kovacs
Secretary: Natalie Cowled
Performing Arts Coordinator: Eric Steinke
General Members: Isabel Scott, Rosie Fowler-Sullivan, Peter Beath, Denise Price, Louise Whitton, Meliyeni Wiggins.
Council Representative: Cr Leigh Bowden
A big congratulations and thank you to all of you for stepping up into these important roles.
2023 AGM Report from TACC Chairperson, Amanda-lee Boatswain
It is with great pleasure that I present the end-of-year report as Chair of the Arts Centre Cootamundra for the year 2022- 2023. Throughout the last 12 months, we have continued our mission to foster and promote the arts in our community, and I am delighted to share the significant achievements and developments that have taken place. I would ike to extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff, volunteers, board members, and supporters who have made all this possible. In particular the behind-the-scenes team of Julie, Natalie, Shane, Eric, Anette, Lucy, Bec, Daya, Rosie and Isabel.
Achievements of 2023.
The Arts Centre Cootamundra has been vibrant and bustling with a wide array of programs and events throughout the year. Our commitment to providing diverse and engaging opportunities for artistic expression has been met with resounding success. Here are some highlights:
Art Exhibitions: We hosted a series of captivating art exhibitions featuring both local and nationally renowned artists. These exhibitions showcased a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Exhibitions from our local high school students and our local yarn artists proved to be very popular. The community response was fantastic, with increased attendance and engagement.
Performing Arts: Our theatre program has had its ups and downs due to covid and the continued shift this has caused. We have showcased a range of productions from theatre to musical concerts and dance recitals. We collaborated with local theatre groups and invited professional artists to ensure a rich and diverse cultural experience for our audience.
Some highlights were the continued growth of the Coota Quest and the production of Derivative Theatre from our youth team from creative voice workshop. The biggest highlight has been joining the Riverina touring network, a collection of art centre in the greater Riverina area to support larger performances to tour this region. We have just received our upcoming program and it is looking amazing.
Movies: We are so grateful for the movies as they are a weekly event that helps engage with the community and help keep the lights on. Out most successful movie this year have been ‘Ticket to Paradise’ & ‘Mrs Harris goes to Paris’ grossing $1800 each. Movies have also given opportunities for fundraising which is a great way for people in our community to give back and a great opportunity for us to be involved.
Workshops and Classes: The Arts Centre Cootamundra has continued to serve as a hub for artistic education and skill development. We conducted numerous workshops and classes, catering to all age groups and skill levels. These educational opportunities have encouraged creativity and fun and provided a platform for artistic growth within our community. Classes such as our paint and sip/ paint and punch to our Creative Voice free dance and physical theatre workshop.
Community Outreach & Friendship groups: To further our commitment to inclusivity, we actively engaged with the local community through various outreach initiatives. We organized collaborative projects with schools, community centres, and social organizations to ensure that the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability. We have many friendship groups who have utilised the space throughout the year from Weaving group, to drawing team, paint pouring group, band, and a Dungeons and Dragon group.
New Membership program: A pilot program has been established by key members on the committee, Natalie and Julie, which has enabled community members to purchase a year membership at the Art centre and receive rewards and 24-hour access to the facilities. The aim of this program is to continue to grow its memberships and use this to offer tailored workshops for members of TACC as well as member lead exhibitions.
Visit by her excellency, the Hon Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW: On Wednesday 3oth November 2022, the Governor and Mr Wilson toured TACC. It was an honor to meet her and showcase our amazing facilities. She was very impressed with the exhibition space and the theatre.
Infrastructure and Facilities, Enhancing Aesthetics: A group of volunteers spent a weekend decluttering TACC. The aim being to create a visually appealing atmosphere that fosters creativity and engagement as well as taking stock of all the amazing resources at our disposal. Clearing out unnecessary items, organizing supplies, and streamlining storage areas will not only improve functionality but also create a more visually pleasing environment. This process is still ongoing, but progress has been made.
Infrastructure and Facilities, Safety and Accessibility: This has been high on the agender for the team at TACC. With consultation with council, we have been working to plan and implement needed changes to enhance the safety and accessibility of our facility. By removing and repairing hazards, ensuring accessible pathways in and out, and organizing and store equipment properly, we will create a secure and accessible environment for all individuals, including those with mobility challenges or disabilities.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to CGRC and NSW Government- Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program for grants and sponsorship to fund and run the Creative Voice Project.
Thanks to Eastern Riverina Arts Country Arts Support Program (CASP) for funding to run Louise Adams Workshops.
Thanks to CGRC for managing and holding funds from The Stronger Country Communities Support Program (received in 2018) – to be used to address compliance and maintenance issues at TACC.
Special thanks go to Andrew Brock for his support over the past 3 plus years. We are sad to see Andrew leave us, but we look forward to working with Wayne and Steven.
Conclusion:
As we wrap up another successful year at the Arts Centre Cootamundra, I am immensely proud of the achievements we have accomplished together. The unwavering dedication of our team, the support of our members and stakeholders, and the passion of our community have allowed us to thrive and create a lasting impact.
Looking ahead, we will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our community, striving to offer even more engaging programs, events, and initiatives. We remain committed to fostering artistic expression, nurturing local talent, and ensuring the arts are accessible to all.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who has contributed to our success this year. Your commitment and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind the Arts Centre Cootamundra, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together in the future.
For any feedback, suggestions, comments or questions email info@theartscentrecootamundra.org.au