Orana Arts

What Orana Arts does

Orana Arts Incorporated is a not-for-profit Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) founded in 2004 and headquartered at the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as the officially designated arts development body for Western NSW, covering the Central West Orana region including the Dubbo Region, Warrumbungle, Narromine, and Gilgandra Shires, with a secondary operating presence at the Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington. Its mandate is to support regional artists, creative practitioners, communities, and youth across all artforms and career stages, with particular depth in First Nations cultural programming delivered in partnership with the Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council. The organisation operates with a small team of approximately 15 staff and contractors led by Executive Director Alicia Leggett.

The organisation's product portfolio is structured around a Studio Co!Lab membership platform with 80+ members, complemented by a set of interlocking programs: VAMP (museum-artist residencies), NaDR (youth performing arts including Kumi Taiko), HomeGround (emerging artist exhibitions), CASP small grants, the Ironbark Arts Residency, Regional Futures, and the Horizons youth career launchpad. Orana Arts does not develop proprietary technology; its value lies in program design, cultural expertise, community facilitation, and grant administration. The Maliyan Cultural Centre functions as a wholly-owned subsidiary and cultural hub for Wiradjuri programming.

The business model is predominantly government-grant funded, with Create NSW as the primary RADO sponsor and program funder, supplemented by Creative Australia, the federal Regional Arts Fund, and the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program. Secondary revenue streams include Studio Co!Lab monthly and annual membership subscriptions (pricing undisclosed) and Creative Consultancy fees from connecting artists to paid projects. The organisation is currently navigating a 2025 strategic review with Regional Arts NSW and Create NSW in response to shifts in the arts funding landscape, while continuing active operations across its program portfolio.

Name

Orana Arts

Legal name

Orana Arts Incorporated

Website

https://oranaarts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Orana Arts is the designated Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) for Western NSW, delivering grants, professional development, residencies, and cultural programs to regional artists, communities, and youth across the Central West Orana region, anchored by the Studio Co!Lab network and the Maliyan Cultural Centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Arts Development Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Regional arts development
• Arts funding programs
• Artist residencies
• Community cultural programs
• Creative professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubbo

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government grants and funding: Orana Arts receives significant operational and program funding from NSW Government through Create NSW, as well as federal funding through Creative Australia and Indigenous Visual Arts Industry (IVAIS) Support program, and Regional Arts Fund. This is the primary revenue source enabling the organisation to deliver its programs.
2. Studio Co!Lab membership fees: The Studio Co!Lab membership program offers monthly or annual subscription options. Members pay to access professional development, grants, residencies, networking events, and the member-only Facebook group. Fee details are not publicly disclosed on the website.
3. Program and consultancy services: Orana Arts offers Creative Consultancy services connecting artists to paid projects through strategic partnerships and cultural planning, generating fee revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Orana Arts operates as the Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) for Western New South Wales, delivering arts development programs, grants, residencies, exhibitions, and professional development services to regional artists and communities. It administers government-funded grant programs (CASP, member grants), runs the Studio Co!Lab membership network of 80+ creatives, produces youth performing arts programs (NaDR), and connects volunteer-run museums with artists through VAMP. The organisation co-manages the Maliyan Cultural Centre, a Wiradjuri cultural space in Wellington, as its primary cultural hub.

Product overview

Orana Arts is the Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) for Western New South Wales, operating as an arts development organization rather than a technology company. Its offering consists of a portfolio of interconnected programs organized under The Studio platform. The core programs include Studio Co!Lab (a professional development membership network), Touring (artist presentation across the region), and Creative Consultancy (connecting artists to paid projects). The Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington serves as the organization's cultural hub. Supporting programs include VAMP (museum-artist connections), NaDR (youth performing arts including Kumi Taiko), HomeGround (emerging artist exhibitions), CASP (small grants), and the Ironbark Arts Residency. Major initiatives include the Regional Futures state-wide creative development project and the Horizons youth career launchpad.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Studio Co!Lab: Professional development platform for artists offering grants, residencies, mentoring, and networking opportunities for regional NSW creatives.
• Studio Co!Lab
• VAMP
• NaDR
• HomeGround
• VAMP
• Ironbark Arts Residency

Products and services

• Studio Co!Lab Membership A subscription-based professional development membership network for artists and creatives across Regional NSW. Members pay monthly or annual fees to access professional development programs, recorded Studio Talks, micro-grants ($1,000-$2,000), residencies, peer networking, and a member-only Facebook Group. Membership is open to creatives across all artforms and career stages in regional NSW.
• VAMP (Volunteers. Artists. Museums. Program) An initiative that connects regional, volunteer-run museums across NSW (including in the Orana region) with artists and creative makers through the enCounter writers/artists-in-residence program and the HARd (Heritage Artist Residency) program, helping museums reimagine and reinterpret their collections and regional stories.
• NaDR (Not a Dress Rehearsal) A performing arts program for regional youth offering drama camps and workshops in partnership with ATYP (Australian Theatre for Young People). Includes the NaDR Summer Camp at Burrendong and workshops at Coonabarabran High School, plus the Kumi Taiko Japanese drumming ensemble training program.
• HomeGround A professional development program that supports emerging regional artists to develop their practice alongside curators, culminating in a solo exhibition at the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo. No direct cost to participating artists.
• CASP (Country Arts Support Program) A small grants program funded by Create NSW that provides funding up to $3,000 per project to assist individual creatives or community groups in delivering arts and cultural projects across the Orana region of NSW.
• Ironbark Arts Residency A 6-day/5-night artist residency at the historic Railway Hotel in Stuart Town, delivered in partnership with the Stuart Town Advancement Association. Orana Arts Studio Co!Lab manages and funds the residency, providing a $300 stipend to selected member artists.
• Regional Futures A state-wide creative development program launched in 2022 in partnership with Arts Mid North Coast, placing artists at the centre of dialogue exploring future visions for regional NSW places. The program includes artist commissions, joint creative development, and cross-regional exhibitions.
• Horizons: Creative Industries Career Launchpad A mentoring and career development program for young people aged 16-27 in Regional NSW, part of the Regional Arts Network initiative, providing structured career support pathways into creative industries.
• Maliyan Cultural Centre A Wiradjuri cultural space in Wellington NSW dedicated to showcasing, exploring and elevating the cultural history of the Aboriginal people of the Central West NSW region. Functions as exhibition space, community hub, and base for Orana Arts community curators, hosting programs including Ngiyangarra, Barranggirra, First Families, Murrayalalinya, and IDhero.
• Creative Consultancy A service that connects artists to paid projects through strategic partnerships and cultural planning, generating fee revenue for the organisation and paid opportunities for artists.

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• MusicNSWmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MusicNSW appointed Ali Buckley as Regional Coordinator for the Orana Arts region (also covering Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast) as part of a landmark four-year Create NSW funding commitment. Orana Arts provides a local base and partnership for MusicNSW's regional music development work.
• Arts Mid North CoastmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnered on the cross-regional Regional Futures project investigating the future of regional NSW. Artists from both regions participated in joint creative development and exhibitions, with Orana Arts representing the inland/coastal partnership alongside Arts Mid North Coast.
• Regional Arts NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Arts NSW is the state body for 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) in NSW, of which Orana Arts is one. They work closely together on strategic priorities, funding, insurance programs, and the Regional Arts Fund. Orana Arts references this relationship as fundamental to its operating model.
• Create NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreate NSW is the NSW Government's arts and cultural driver. It is the primary funder of Orana Arts as a RADO and provides major program funding including CASP grants, VAMP, NaDR, and Regional Futures. Orana Arts works closely with Create NSW to refine strategic priorities and strengthen organisational foundations.
• Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLALC is Orana Arts' key First Nations partner, co-managing the Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington. Together they deliver programs including Ngiyangarra, Barranggirra, First Families, Murrayalalinya, and IDhero. This is the deepest and most significant partnership for Orana Arts in delivering culturally significant programming.
• ATYP (Australian Theatre for Young People)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATYP is a national performing arts organisation for young people. Partnered with Orana Arts on the NaDR (Not a Dress Rehearsal) performing arts program, delivering drama camps (summer camp at Burrendong, at Coonabarabran High School) and Kumi Taiko ensemble training for regional youth.
• Dubbo Regional CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Regional Futures (commissioning artist Kim V. Goldsmith), HomeGround program (venue at Western Plains Cultural Centre), and STEAMy Stories talk. Dubbo Regional Council is also a member local government organisation supporting CASP projects.
• TAFE NSW Wellington campusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with TAFE NSW Wellington campus on the Open Door/Exhibit Here 2025 professional development program, providing hands-on labs in gallery and festival access, sales and marketing, and collective formation for regional artists.
• Atelier Rosal (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in the Open Door/Exhibit Here 2025 program, contributing to artists' professional development in taking work to international showcases. Represents Orana Arts' international connections within its artist development ecosystem.
• Stuart Town Advancement AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Ironbark Arts Residency program. STAA made the historic Railway Hotel in Stuart Town available as artist accommodation. Orana Arts Studio Co!Lab manages and funds the residency, selecting members to participate.
• Regional Arts AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body for regional arts organisations. Orana Arts participates in Artlands (national gathering), and Regional Arts Australia administers the National Regional Arts Fellowship program which Orana Arts promotes to its members. Also supports the Regional Futures statewide program.
• Creative AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian Government's principal arts investment and advisory body. Provides national funding that flows through to Orana Arts programs and members, including through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry (IVAIS) Support program and Regional Arts Fund.
• South East ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRADO partner in the VAMP enCounter project, bringing creative practitioners together from across NSW to work in regional museums. Demonstrates the cross-RADO networking collaboration model.
• West Darling ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRADO partner in the VAMP enCounter project alongside South East Arts and Orana Arts, supporting museum artist residencies in the far western region of NSW.
• Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the First Families community development and exhibition project at Maliyan Cultural Centre, working with Orana Arts and Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council to support family history research and storytelling for First Nations families.
• AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the First Families project, providing family history resources and guidance for workshop participants researching Aboriginal family histories at the Maliyan Cultural Centre.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Regional Arts Australia: The national peak body for regional arts organisations. Orana Arts participates in Artlands and Regional Arts Australia administers the National Regional Arts Fellowship promoted to Orana Arts members. Operates one tier above individual RADOs.
• Regional Arts NSW: The peak body for the 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) in NSW, of which Orana Arts is one. Acts as an intermediary between Create NSW and individual RADOs, providing strategic coordination, insurance, and Regional Arts Fund administration.

Others

• Creative Australia: The Australian Government's principal arts investment and advisory body, providing national funding to Orana Arts including through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program. A funder/ecosystem participant rather than direct peer.
• Create NSW: The NSW Government's arts and cultural driver and Orana Arts' primary funder. Not a peer in the competitive sense but a critical ecosystem participant whose funding decisions directly determine Orana Arts' operating capacity.
• Carriageworks: A major Sydney-based contemporary arts centre presenting multidisciplinary programming. Not a direct competitor but thematically related as a nonprofit arts presenting and development organisation; shares overlapping funder relationships with Create NSW and Creative Australia.

Emerging players

• Bundanon Trust: A NSW-based arts and cultural organisation operating artist residencies, education programs, and exhibitions on a regional property. Comparable to Orana Arts in providing regional artist development opportunities but with a different funding model (endowed trust) and national profile.

Direct peers

• West Darling Arts: A RADO serving the far western region of NSW. Partners with Orana Arts and South East Arts on VAMP enCounter and operates a comparable portfolio of regional arts development programs for remote communities.
• Outback Arts: A RADO serving the far west and Orana-adjacent regions of NSW. Delivers similar artist development, residencies, and community cultural programs under the same Create NSW RADO funding framework.
• Arts Mid North Coast: A fellow RADO in NSW serving the Mid North Coast region. Partnered with Orana Arts on Regional Futures and other cross-regional initiatives; offers comparable artist development programs, residencies, and grant administration under the same RADO funding framework.
• South East Arts: A RADO serving South East NSW and a direct collaborator with Orana Arts on the VAMP enCounter museum revitalisation project. Operates under the same NSW RADO structure and delivers comparable artist development and regional cultural programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/oranaarts
• Instagraminstagram.com/oranaarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orana-arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orana Arts