CCBR Business Review

16 C U L T U R A L N E W S FOUNDED IN 2010 by John Bell AO OBE to support young artists on the Central Coast, the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts (BFA) has provided funds to many young people with grants to help them realise their artistic careers. This has been helped by the generosity of friends of Mr Bell and residents of the Bouddi community at Killcare who have provided funds through sponsorships. “These are just a few of the amazing heart-warming success stories of the young people we, through our sponsors, have supported,” said Mr Bell. Gab Paananen who staged her Endangered Animal puppet show at the Sydney Festival. Lead artist in RMIT project in 2020. Is cur- rently developing a project for the Fremantle street festival which will transfer to Sydney Opera House in 2022. She has a commis- sioning with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC USA which has been on hold because of Covid. BFA multi-grantee and three-time Archibald Finalist, Jordan Richardson is now creating work for a 2022 solo show at the Maitland Regional Gallery. Actor Imogen Sage , one of BFA’s earliest recipients, has recently starred in ‘Claudel’ at the Sydney Opera House. Previous engage- ments include appearing in the West End and with the Melbourne Theatre Company. She is slated to star in an upcoming pro- duction with Bell Shakespeare. Ballerina Elisa Williams has danced her way to the Berlin Institute to further her studies. Film Director Ryan Andrew Lee is grateful that his BFA grant that has enabled him to document social and cultural issues in Arnhem Land. Musical Theatre actor Hannah Greenshields is now touring Australia with the Hayes Theatre Company in ‘HMS Pinafore’. Singer songwriter Lucy Parle has secured recording and music publishing agreements and recently won the Teen Category of the ‘International Song-Writing Competition.’ Our talented young creators - Where are they now? The NSW Government has committed $610,000 for two of the leading cultur- al organisations on the Central Coast. In September 2019 the NSW Government announced $2 mil- lion to transform the Central Coast Conservatorium. With works now well underway the NSW Government will provide a further $80,000 for the instal- lation of a brand new roof over its courtyard. The new roof will improve the visitor experience, make the teach- ing spaces more functional and will provide weather protection for both students and their instruments. Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Central Coast audiences and artists would benefit from this investment into the Central Coast Conservatorium, which provides great cultural offerings for local audiences and career pathways for Central Coast residents. “We are committed to supporting the development of cultural infra- structure that is accessible and fit-for- purpose, and that enhances the visitor experiences.” The renowned dance school, the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) which is based at Mt Penang Parklands, is also set to benefit. The NSW Government is committing $530,000 for a Final Business Case to establish Naya Wa Yugali, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Creative Learning Central Coast to benefit from cultural investment CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW JULY 2021