From constructing bouquets to podcasting a past murder, a unique range of cultural and creative projects will be springing up across the Western Plains in the near future.

Outback Arts recently announced the successful recipients of the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) which aims to provides regional people access to cultural programs and bring local opportunities that may otherwise have not been available.

“CASP is a significant investment by Outback Arts with support of Create NSW to provide funds directly to regional areas," Outback Arts Executive Director Jamie-Lea Trindall said.

"It is a great initiative that allows regional communities and local people with an opportunity to create and realise their own arts and culture projects. Outback Arts are looking forward to seeing these projects develop over the coming year.” 

The funding was spread across the region with Madeline Hope-Hodgetts from Nyngan thrilled to be one of the recipients.

Ms Hope-Hodgetts plans to use her funding to continue the existing Nyngan Wagagirri group which focuses on cultural dance and language and currently takes place weekly. Ms Hope-Hodgetts is a Wangaaypuwan woman who recently came back to her family homeland around Nyngan and has become involved in the community.

"We have been running weekly groups of language and cultural activities and providing food and materials for things such as weaving," Ms Hope-Hodgetts said. "We do yarning and songs in Ngiyampaa language with kids and adults."

She said the funding is amazing to help continue these sessions. "We have done some performances in the community such as at local schools in Reconciliation Week," she said. "Eventually I want to take the sessions from the local Scout Hall and out on to country more."

Also receiving funding was Cobar Shire Council who are engaging silversmith, Skye Bragg to teach a series of workshops in jewellery making using copper during the Festival of the Miner’s Ghost in October. This festival focusses on Cobar’s 150 years of history which includes mining.

An experienced craftswoman, Ms Bragg has been in the silversmith industry for 30 years.

"I learnt the basics at boarding school and just kept going, " she said.

Since then, Ms Bragg has taught her craft around NSW and it is now her full-time job.

"I lived between Bourke and Bre for a long time and have recently relocated closer to Dubbo but I'm thrilled to be heading to Cobar"

Skye Bragg's copper etching workshops at Cobar have been funded by the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) grants. 

Ms Bragg is looking forward to the workshops, saying working with copper is different to working with silver.

"I will be able to have more people in the classes which is great," she said. "At the workshops, we will be doing some copper etching and using hammers and metal tools."

If these creative pursuits have whet your appetite, look out for the following grant recipients who have shared in the $17000 funding.

Their chosen projects are varied and, at times, intriguing.

• Dr Jillian Kelly who intends to create a podcast on an unsolved murder in Coonamble in 1971.

• Marra Creek Trustees who will hold a series of small arts events and workshops to bring the community together after Covid.

• Mrs Lynette Quinton who plans to do a mural on plywood depicting Nyngan's buildings from the past.. 

• Coonamble Arts Alive Society who will share their knowledge of working with clay by offering three unique workshops.

• Walgett and District Garden Club who will have a local florist to guide a group on how to construct a bouquet to gift to a friend from locally sourced foliage after a nature walk through local bushland and gardens to gather materials.  

• Warren and District Arts Council will use their funding to bring "The End of Winter " tour performance to a local venue allowing the whole community to enjoy theatre in Warren