a Vast Arts project

Kunmurri Art Trail

About us• Vast Arts is a non profit organisation • run by artists, for artists, in western Queensland• Began over 40 years ago and has changed name and focus

since from delivery of workshops to delivery of opportunities• Differentiate from other cultural/arts groups in that our focus is

on artists careers and is across a region of over 600,000 km sq• A Management Committee of 6 directs the organisation and

employs a part time Project Officer• Primary income of the organisation is funding and sponsorship• Other projects include the Channel Country Photography

Competition, Connections – keeping artists in touch, and Vacant Spaces – revitalising our communities through short term art projects in empty buildings and shopfronts.

Kunmurri Art Trail

The ONLY guide to art and culture in western

Queensland

Our goal:To publicise and market the cultural and artistic viewing opportunities in central and south west Queensland to the regional community, potential visitors and tourists highlighting the regions cultural tourism attractions.

The NameVast Arts had successful discussions with the regions indigenous groups to find a common word among the some 14 dialects used in the area. We all settled with ‘Kunmurri’ which means ‘rainbow serpent’. The group felt this reflected not only the area and its dreamtime beginnings, but emphasizes the strong cultural links and community partnership in the area.

Background of the project• First published in 2011 and funded through Queensland

Government’s Rural Communities Fund ‘Blueprint for the Bush’

• Based on the Scenic Rim booklet with designated open studio periods

• 26 participants and 10,000 booklets distributed• 2012 edition was funded through Jupiters Gambling

Community Benefit Fund • Participants increased to 38 and 20,000 booklets distributed• Financing the booklet a major cost and participant fees

required to remain low to encourage inclusion in the project

Arts Qld Development & PresentationThe main points from the application of support for the 2013 Kunmurri Art Trail

• Reduce the challenges faced by artists living and working in remote and regional western Queensland

• It aims to BRING THE PEOPLE TO THE ART • Reverse flow of artists from this region relocating to metro

areas • To create a vibrant, viable arts sector in this region that

forms an important part of the community• Easy to read format, with each town or region mapped and

comprehensive details for each attraction including opening hours, contact details, costs, etc.

• The booklet is distributed to tourist information centres, tourism outlets, galleries, art studios, etc both within the central and south west area and outside it

• 2013 was the third year of publication• Plans in place to increase revenue such as income from

advertising

The proposed opportunity …at a glance

Contribution to Qld arts and cultural sector

The Kunmurri Art Trail fulfils the goals of the Queensland Arts and Culture Sector Plan by:• Providing a great art and culture experience which helps create a thriving

independent art sector.• Showcasing Queensland’s best in local, national and international markets through

its distribution.• People discovering, collecting and celebrating their cultural heritage through hands

on experience.• Queenslanders creating and shaping their own arts and cultural experiences

through touring our unique region with the assistance of the Kunmurri Art Trail.• Place-based approaches to regional arts development and arts-led approaches to

addressing community issues such as isolation and lack of opportunities to display and sell work.

• Successful arts and cultural organisations and creative businesses, new jobs and markets, entrepreneurship and innovation through increased visibility and promotion of unique art and culture experiences in the region.

• Viable industry networks founded on sharing skills and knowledge through the Vast Arts membership and communication network.

• Viable career paths which provide financial rewards and recognition.The Kunmurri Art Trail shares the focus of the Sector Plan to grow and promote quality artwork, and strengthen independent artists, arts and cultural workers in our region.

Project viability …at a glance• Large distribution• Constantly seek new ways to promote including the Outback

Education Handbook, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Tourism Queensland.

• Plan to be self funded in the future, attract advertising revenue from related businesses (coffee shops, boutique accommodation, etc).

• will be the third year of publication after significant growth of participants and distribution

• Utilise experience from previous editions to improve effectiveness of distribution and promotion.

• The time frame is realistic and ensures the booklet is available during peak tourist season

• Project Officer has previous experience with project.• Vast Arts has been nominated for the Outback Queensland

Tourism Awards for two years running for delivering the Kunmurri Art Trail concept.

The 2013 Kunmurri Art Trail• 43 participants and 10,000 booklets

distributed• 19 individual artists• 5 cultural/arts community groups• 10 galleries• 9 cultural attractions

• Increase of geographical area covered• Increase in name recognition

FeedbackHi Nicole, The Outback Regional Gallery would love to be a participant in the new Kunmurri Art Trail; it is a great little booklet and a huge hit with our tourists and locals alike. I would love to hear from you regarding this as I would very much like the Outback Regional gallery to be featured in the booklet again. Warm regards, Jessica

Jessica A Marshall Curator Outback Regional Gallery and Museum Waltzing Matilda Centre 50 Elderslie Street PO Box 415 WINTON QLD 4735 Phone: 07 4657 1466 Mobile: 0407789773 Email: Curator@matildacentre.com.au Website: www.matildacentre.com.au

On 31/07/2012, at 8:47 AM, Hi Denise,Just wondering – where did you pick up the Kunumurri Art Trail booklet? I am on the board of Vast Arts so would be good to provide feedback to board members,Cheers Alison

From: Denise McKnight [mailto:mcknight2008@optusnet.com.au]Sent: Tuesday, 31 July 2012 10:29 AMTo: Alison ShawSubject: Re: Grassland Art Gallery Hi AlisonWe first came across it at the artesian spa In Mitchell. They had an info section and as I made Peter stop there do that I could have Numerous soaks he had plenty of time to browse!!!We have specifically targeted our trip around The galleries listed Sent from my iPhone 

Why was it successful?my thoughts….

• The project is strong and unique• Two previous successes

• Proven viability• Outline of future self funding plans

• Clear budget• Relevant supporting documents

2013 onwards….• The booklet is now a biennial publication – saving

costs and utilising feedback from participants and distributors

• The 2014/2015 edition is being printed this week!• Is funded through sponsorship from OBE Organic

and support from RADF (Quilpie Shire Council, Barcaldine Regional Council, Blackall Tambo Regional Council)

World's oldest and most trustworthy for organic beef

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Quilpie Shire Council, Barcaldine Regional Council and Blackall Tambo Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.

Questions?