The Magnetic Places Grant funds creative arts activities that magnify resident stories and provide opportunities for creative expression across key neighbourhoods in Penrith. Artists and cultural practitioners from all artforms are encouraged to apply.
Delivered through Penrith City Council’s Community Funding Program within the Creative Communities stream, Magnetic Places is a long‑standing initiative that invests in community‑driven, artist‑led creative projects.
Find out more about the Magnetic Places Grant guidelines and find out more about how to apply on the Grants webpage.
To discuss your grant application and project ideas with the Magnetic Places Grants Officer, book a time via this link.
Stories in Motion was a participatory arts project led by artist Josie Cavallaro in collaboration with NADO and St Marys Library. Residents designed interactive games inspired by their stories, memories, and sense of place. The project culminated in a public games day at St Marys Corner, transforming the space into a vibrant, playful hub that invited social connection, cultural expression, and local pride.
WonderSpace was a collaboration led by neurodivergent artists Madeleine Jaine Lobsey and Bria McCarthy, with schools, disability services, and First Nations programs in St Marys. Young people explored art, movement, sound, and storytelling in their own way. Participants co-authored a short film and Zine, which reflects on creatives in St Marys and future directions of city and self. Both were launched at a public showcase, featuring projections, soundscapes, and interactive storytelling.
The Stories of Resilience project was led by artist Naomi Oliver in collaboration with the No Boundaries Art Group.
The year-long project gave participants the chance to explore digital skills including digital drawing, animation, photo editing, music making and more.
MEGAPIXEL is the assembled artwork of participants, compiled into a video and showcased in a community celebration in North St Marys, and exhibited at Penrith Regional Gallery.
Diverse community groups came together at the Arthur Neave Memorial Hall to create a mural which has become a symbol of intergenerational collaboration and a sense of belonging. Residents participated in drawing, writing, and collage sessions with artist Sharon Billinge, contributing to the mural design. Feedback from the community emphasised increased visibility and sense of being welcome at Arthur Neave Memorial Hall.
Stories from Queen Street is a documentary and photo series that celebrates the vibrant and diverse mixed business shopping precinct of Queen St, St Marys.
Through sharing the stories of 6 small business owners, the project aims to amplify the voices of local people, celebrating the unique character and social fabric of Queen Street, while capturing the heart of a place in transition.
A Penrith Regional Gallery project, in collaboration with CuriousWorks and artist Karlina Mitchell.
Residents were invited to get comfy in their gardens or local park and use their phones to record audio letters, starting with ‘Dear tree…’.
Using these ‘letters’ to nature, artist Rose Turtle remixed them with ambient park sounds recorded in Kingswood to create a unique sound composition.
Art activation visitors were able to immerse themselves in the Dear Tree sound space as they stood or sat beneath the trees in Coachmans Park, surrounded by the composed sounds of local voices and spaces.
Printed postcards were available across St Marys inviting residents to share their reflections on life during lockdown.
Community groups especially embraced this project, including it in their program of activities as restrictions eased.
Completed postcards were 'posted’ back via distinctive white mailboxes in St Marys Library and Fusion café, and artist, Kathleen Travers, transformed received postcards into beautiful installations.
Cranebrook residents of all ages and cultures created an arts installation transforming a busy thoroughfare into a vibrant visually appealing space. Residents created ceramic masks and painted silhouettes to represent culture and identity.
The project, led by artist Diamando Koutsellis and Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services, generated strong positive feedback from participants who reported increased sense of belonging, improved social connectedness and new skills.
Find out more about the 2026 Magnetic Places Artist Development Series and register for the last workshop (17 September) (links open in a new tab) to develop your professional skills and grant writing!
The Magnetic Places Artist Development Series (MPADS) provides professional development opportunities to local and emerging artists and cultural practitioners. The workshops in 2026 develop skills and expertise in both community arts and cultural development (CACD) practice, and in how to write a successful grant application.
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Cultural Development and Placemaking Officer - Neighbourhood Renewal
My role as the Cultural Development and Placemaking Officer is a specialist role that works with the arts and cultural sector to strengthen the social and cultural fabric of key neighbourhoods. This role sits in the Neighbourhood Renewal Team.
The Neighbourhood Renewal Team responds to the impacts of disadvantage in older established neighbourhoods. I work to apply community arts and cultural development practice to projects that tell local stories and build identity of place.
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