contemporary art space and education
c.a.s.e
contemporary art space and education
an artist-led not-for-profit organisation based in the Northern Rivers, on the far north coast of New South Wales, the traditional lands of the Bundjalung Nation.
the c.a.s.e. vision:
c.a.s.e. is dedicated to creating opportunities for local artists to present, develop, connect, and collaborate, and to enhance the wider community’s experience of diverse contemporary arts and culture.
core values
Enable | Promote | Support | Connect | Collaborate
our aims
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create opportunities for local artists to present work, develop their practice, and engage with a wide range of audiences
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facilitate activities that generate connections, collaborations, and a sense of belonging, thus cultivating a supportive, dynamic, and inclusive arts community
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promote the arts, increasing participation, and building awareness and value for arts and culture in the wider community
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be a sustainable not-for-profit organisation through fundraising, partnerships, and grants
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celebrate diversity, be inclusive, and act respectfully
c.a.s.e. initiatives
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Art in the Pub - regular artist talks by local, national, or international contemporary artists held in a local pub.
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Postcard Exhibition - annual signature exhibition open to all artists, responding to a unique theme each year. Proceeds from the sale of the postcard sized artworks are divided between the exhibiting artists and c.a.s.e. enabling our support of ongoing community projects such as artist grants and c.a.s.e. events.
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Artist Grants - professional development and creative arts grants for artists living in the Ballina, Lismore, Byron, and Tweed Shires. Created to support sustainable artistic and cultural development.
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c.a.s.e. connect - periodic gatherings where local artists can present emerging work or projects, to test ideas and find collaborators within the arts community, or just to come along to connect, network, and be inspired.
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c.a.s.e. Committee Exhibitions - an annual self-funded exhibition of new works created in response to a chosen theme.
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Promote the Arts - through social media and newsletters c.a.s.e. promotes the diverse artists, arts activities and organisations of the region alongside other contemporary arts and cultural initiatives further afield.
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Collaborations - c.a.s.e. values collaboration to enhance and advance our arts community. We thank our ongoing collaborators and supporters including the Byron School of Art, Still @ the Centre, Tweed Regional Gallery, Lismore Regional Gallery, M-Arts, NRC Gallery Ballina, The Yellow Brick Studio, The Courthouse Hotel, Poets Out Loud and potentially you! We are open to opportunities, so please get in touch to explore.
the c.a.s.e. committee 2022
Elaine Pollen
President
Annique Goldenberg
Secretary
Leora Sibony
Committee member
Victoria Keesing
Committee member
Pru Bleasdale
Vice President
Rachel Dun
Public Officer
Tali Cohen Flantz
Committee member
Gabe O'Neill
Committee member
Sandra Rubbo
Treasurer
Carolyn delzoppo
Committee member
Mirna Barakat
Committee member
Alison Allcock
Committee member
The c.a.s.e. committee is currently full, however if you'd like to express an interest to join in the future do let us know through our contact form.
our foundational story
"Contemporary art space and education Inc." (c.a.s.e.) was founded in 2002 by six professional artists based in the Northern Rivers on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung Nation:
Christine Willcocks, Susan Davidson, Robyn Sweaney,
Rochelle Summerfield, Liz Deckers, and Susanna Pohlen
They set up a variety of workshops, artist talks, art grants, and a print studio, and established c.a.s.e. as a leader in contemporary art education in the region. They also took over Piece Gallery in Mullumbimby’s CBD with a charter to exhibit innovative and high-quality contemporary art to the community in the regionally isolated Northern Rivers.
c.a.s.e. @ the Piece Gallery ran for 5 successful years with exhibitors that included John Dahlsen, James Guppy, Linda Ault, Chez Baker and international NY artist Chris Coffey.
Community exhibitions included "Postcards from Mullumbimby", which became a popular annual event.
In 2006, wishing to concentrate their efforts in different directions, including their own artistic practices, the founding members of c.a.s.e. decided to move on. Nadine Abenseur came forward to take over the Piece Gallery arm of the organisation, forming the commercial art gallery: Art Piece Gallery in Mullumbimby. Not wanting to disband the non-profit educational and workshop elements of c.a.s.e., the c.a.s.e. founders began to look for local artists willing to come on board and inject some fresh ideas and energy. They found three emerging local artists, Belinda Paton, Leonie Jackson and Romy Dingle, who had formed an artists’ run initiative based in their independent art studios at Station Street Studios in Mullumbimby. A perfect match and so the Station Street Studios artists came on board as the new committee to run c.a.s.e.
Since 2006, the c.a.s.e. committee has undergone a number of changes with a total of 33 local artists contributing their time and skills over the years. With this new energy, community exhibitions and art events have been planned, always mindful of the original vision of the six founding members to be a place of contemporary art space and education.