“The aim of this bursary is to give a local artist with a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to develop their arts practice in a new way,” NERAM’s art museum director Robert Heather said.

“The Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary will give the successful artist a kick start by enabling them to take part in a course, workshop, masterclass or residency that will take them in a new and interesting direction.

“Artists across the whole of the New England region are encouraged to apply and tell us how this bursary could make a difference to them and their art making.

“This is an opportunity for NERAM to support local artists develop their arts practice in new and innovative ways and is open to artists of all levels from young emerging practitioners through to well established artists.”

The annual bursary celebrates the life of NERAM supporter and volunteer Helen Dangar and has been made possible through the generosity of her family, the Friends of NERAM, Packsaddle and other donors who have made a contribution towards the successful Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary fundraising drive.

Helen Dangar (1944-2015) was an accomplished academic at the University of New England and teacher who taught French at the New England Girls School for 20 years. She was very passionate about art, music and literature and took a great interest in the artistic wellbeing of the local community.

The funds raised have been invested by the NERAM Foundation and the income generated will be used to award the bursary every year to a local artist.

The Helen Dangar Memorial Art Bursary is open to artists resident in the New England region. Entries close on Friday, September 29 and the successful applicant will be announced at the 2017 Packsaddle exhibition opening at NERAM on the evening of Friday, October 20.

Application forms are available online from the NERAM website at: http://www.neram.com.au/learn-2/helen-dangar-memorial-art-bursary/