A number of Council facilities and events have been suspended as part of the State's COVID-19 lockdown, but Cumberland City Council is finding new ways to redirect events to Council's website and keep residents connected.
“For a decade now, the Cumberland Art Award exhibition has been showcased at Council's Peacock Gallery in Auburn Botanic Gardens," said Mayor Steve Christou.
"For the first time ever, we will host our Art Awards online in an effort to continue the tradition, even as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a very challenging time, but I’m very proud that we are channeling the creativity and resilience of Cumberland's community to present a 360-degree virtual video of the exhibition alongside high quality images of all the exhibition artworks.
"Art gives people a platform for expression in our community and drives civic dialogue and cultural understanding. We're in a climate at the moment where we have to keep distant, but these fantastic artworks help us stay connected."
Council will announce the winners of the Art Awards on Tuesday, 14 April 2020, the day the exhibition goes live on Council's website.
Award categories include the Cumberland Art Award, Youth Award and Emerging Artist Award with prize money up for grabs.
Council will also provide online visitors with a chance to vote for their favourite artwork in the People's Choice Awards.
The winner of the People's Choice Awards will be announced at the conclusion of the online exhibition on www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/arts
The exhibition will be accessible via www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/arts on Tuesday, 14 April 2020 when the exhibition launches on Council's website.
For updates on Council’s response to Coronavirus and the impact on events, programs and non-essential services, including a range of new online programs visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/covid19
