Every year in March our restaurants and cafes fill with people enjoying the smooth notes of the Kiama Jazz and Blues festival.

In September, our picturesque seaside town hosts the Folk by the Sea festival which features the sounds of folk, world, roots, Celtic, bluegrass and gypsy music over three days.

Kiama was home for the famous fashion designer, Orry-Kelly, who was recently immortalised in a special film honouring his contribution to costume design in Hollywood.

The area is also home to award winning furniture designer, Trent Jensen, whose work has been exhibited in the London Design Museum and features in top design magazines such as Vogue and Belle.

Nurturing and supporting our local artists and musicians is vital for the development of our community provides a boost for our tourism industry.

Council recognises that we must create pathways for our local young people to explore their artistic talents.

We must also create opportunities for residents of all ages to express their talents and leave a lasting legacy for their community.

This may be through music, sculpture, poetry, painting, performance, photography and much more.

Cultural grants of up to $3000 per application are available to local artists for artistic endeavours which increase the range of arts projects within the Kiama Local Government Area.

Youth Arts Scholarships of up to $1000 are available to young people aged 12 to 21 years.

The winter funding round of Kiama Council’s Cultural Grants and Youth Arts Scholarship closes on Friday, August 28.

Submit your application online by visiting the Arts & Culture section of our website kiama.nsw.gov.au, or request a hard copy application by contacting our customer service team on 4232 0444.

If you’re a local artist you should consider joining the Kiama Cultural Network at kiama culturenetwork.word press.com.

The network was established in 2009 as a means for local artisans to connect with each other and with council.

The goal of the Kiama Cultural Network is to build and maintain a cultural arts community in the Kiama local government area.

The aims of the network are to connect local Kiama artists and council, share relevant information and promote cultural arts in Kiama.