Those affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for support in the form of a COVID-19 Disaster Payment or a COVID-19 Micro-Business Grant.

Make Music Day was held at Leeton skatepark, with funding from Create NSW.

The free community event featured Comedian Dane Simpson as MC and the musical talents of True Vibenation, Jannah Beth, Damian Thorne and Shane Ronan.

Western Riverina Arts attended Lost Lanes Wagga Wagga, and despite sudden Covid-19 restrictions taking place mid-festival, it was a great showcase of eats, beats and arts.

Regional artists we saw included Owen Lyons Wiradjuri Art installation in collaboration with Goldberg Aberline Studio, Toby Mobbs Music performance, Alice Peacock - Animation & Motion Design projections and hooping dream team Hooly Dooly Hooping and Dizzy Dilemma.

Leeton Museum and Gallery celebrated its one year anniversary of opening, and saw its 4000th visitor.

The gallery also welcomed their new Museum, Gallery & Heritage Officer, Karen Barrett. Murrumbidgee Council launched informative QR codes that partner with the street signs that feature Carolyne Rutled's bird illustrations. Take a walk through the streets of Coleambally to learn about all the birds their streets are named after.

Artists and organisations across NSW can apply for funding through round one of Create NSW's 2021/2022 Arts and Cultural Funding Program in the Annual Organisation Funding, Project Funding and Creative Koori Projects categories.

Applications for round one closes Wednesday, August 18.

Please get in touch with Western Riverina Arts if you have any queries, or watch one of the many relevant webinars available on topics from budgeting to how to apply for funding.

Regional Arts Fund Project Grants Open Regional Arts Fund Project Grants are now open, with artists and organisations able to apply for up to $30,000 with no minimum grant amount.

The project grants will fund high-quality arts projects benefitting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. Regional Arts Fund Project Grants will close on Monday, August 23, apply now.

Please get in touch with Western Riverina Arts if you have any queries or have a read through RANSW's grant writing guide.

Griffith City Council has committed to delivering a new art gallery over the next five years due to feedback from the community.

The proposed gallery will bring more exhibition space, adequate climate control and the ability to display more permanent collections.

Roslyn Lockhart is excited to announce an exhibition of women's faces: "Without women, there is no children, no families, no communities. No women, no Us. This exhibition is to celebrate the women who are doing big and little things to make our communities a better place. This could be the four-year-old who is a great big sister or significant women in the community. Please apply or nominate a wonderful female to have their image in this exhibition. They must live locally in the region from Jerilderie to Leeton."

Please send through nominations/applications via email to Roslyn at lockharr@bigpond.net.au with the following information: Name, Phone Number, Email, Woman to have portrait painted, Where do they live/connection to Jerilderie/Leeton region? Tell me about yourself, or this woman: (250 words or less), Tell me where you fit in your town or community or family? What is the wisest thing your mother/aunty/mentor told you? Or your mother/aunty/mentor's favourite saying or quote?

Closing date for applications is August 9. The exhibition will be held May 2022.

Bringing Back The Plains-Wanderer From The Brink: Jerilderie11am-3.30PM, Mon 26 July - Sun 8th August 2021 | Jerilderie Civic Hall

The Plains-wanderer (Pedionomous torquatus) is a small, ground-dwelling bird that inhabits sparse native grasslands.

Long-term monitoring of the Plains-wanderer population in this area has shown they have declined by 93 per cent since 2001. The species was recently listed as Critically Endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act.

The Murray/Riverina region is considered a hot spot for the species and critical to its survival. Thirteen artists have come together in response to raise awareness for plains-wanderer conservation and management, which is integral to the species recovery.

Mash-up and Random and Exact exhibitions, August 2 to 27 | The Curious Rabbit

Exhibitions Mash-up and Random and Exact are launching at the Curious Rabbit in Wagga Wagga.

Mash-up features work from Western Riverina artists Sarah McEwan and Layla Bacayo, who along with Veronica Watson, will share their unique interpretations of the same sitter.

The joint opening party will be held on Tuesday, August 3.

The exhibitions will be opened by special guest Penny Grist, curator at the National Portrait Gallery and will feature music by DJ Lay-Da-Best.

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Exhibition closes September 25 | Leeton Museum and Gallery

Phryne Fisher returns with a brand-new exhibition filled with glamour, romance and adventure.

Experience large scale installations recreating Miss Fisher's world, all while enjoying the feature film costumes designed by Margot Wilson, props and more from the feature film.

Tickets can be purchased online via http://bit.ly/Phryne or at the door ($25 per adult, $20 for seniors, $5 per school child or $50 per family of 2 adults and 2 children). NSW Discover vouchers can be redeemed with this exhibition.

Artlands Digital, September 1-3 | Online

For those who cannot travel to Tasmania, you can experience Artlands from home with Artlands Digital. Digital tickets enable access to all of the live-streamed sessions across the three-day conference program via the online platform.

Grass Roots Under 30s Open Mic Competition2PM Sun 8 August | Griffith Regional Theatre

Are you a singer, musician or a band all under the age of 30? Register now for the Grass Roots Under 30s Open Mic! All genres of music are welcome, originals and covers accepted - with cash prizes to be won!