Volunteer executive officer at CAPO, Marilyn Gray, and president Peter de Deckker, invite artists to apply for the 2024 grants. Photo: Sally Hopman.
When you can claim a 40-year successful run on the local arts stage, chances are you’re doing something right.
Last year, the Canberra Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) celebrated such a milestone, supporting hundreds of grassroots individuals and organisations that often found themselves overshadowed by the larger arts institutions that are based in Canberra.
Since its creation in 1983, CAPO, a volunteer non-profit organisation, has allocated nearly $4 million in arts fellowships and awards. But it’s not resting on its laurels, for this, its 41st year, CAPO has appointed Canberra arts stalwart Genevieve Jacobs AM as its patron. A journalist for 30 years, Ms Jacobs, former group editor for Region, is now CEO of Hands Across Canberra, the ACT’s community foundation.
“I believe the arts are fundamental to telling our stories and understanding who we are,” Ms Jacobs said.
“Art can make change, it can reflect our society back to us but it can also create beauty that is central to who we are as humans.”
She said she was delighted to lend her support to CAPO “which has made a profound difference to many artists’ careers and contributed to a thriving, energetic local arts communty”.
CAPO president, Peter de Deckker, said the group was also celebrating the launch of its 2024 season, with 24 grants valued at $41,500, in addition to a (maximum) $15,000 CAPO Fellowship now on offer to the region’s emerging and established artists.
“This year, CAPO has managed to persuade all the remarkable sponsors, as well as new additional sponsors to donate so generously once again towards these invaluable grants,” he said.
“We thank the supporting arts community, businesses, and philanthropic individuals of Canberra, as without their generosity these vital grants would not be possible.”
Long-time executive officer at CAPO, Marilyn Gray encouraged emerging and established artists to apply for the 2024 CAPO grants, saying the national capital had a great community spirit, specifically when it came to working with each other for the benefit of all.
Former group editor of Region, Genevieve Jacobs AM, now patron of CAPO. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
“Canberra was a place which grew from nothing,” she said. “It was just stuck in the middle so it was up to its people to find their feet and create something special here – which we’ve done.
“CAPO started in 1983 because something needed to be done for the arts in Canberra,” she said. “Back then, we looked to the mid-west of the United States as an example, basing our entertainment on theme balls. Then, for a long time, we held cocktail events to help people understand what the arts were about. But over the years, we’ve become a bit more sophisticated,” she laughed.
CAPO’s 2024 grants round closes on 15 September. Winners will be announced at a special event for sponsors on 1 November followed by an exhibition of the works from 1-9 November at the Grainger Gallery in the Dairy Road precinct, Fyshwick, with an auction of works on 9 November.
Tickets and more information are available on the website.
Loading ...
