CAPO, the Capital Arts Patrons’ Organisation is planning to paint the town red when it holds its 40th “ruby” anniversary gala at Albert Hall in mid-November.

It’s a larger venue than in recent years, offering the chance for this annual swanky gathering to attract a larger crowd to the night of nights for the volunteer non-profit organisation.

CAPO was established in 1983 and has since given out more than $3 million in arts fellowships and awards through an  arrangement between our arts and business communities.

Recipients have included performing artists and companies, visual artists and art organisations, musicians, contemporary craft artists, designer-makers, filmmakers, new media artists and writers, but it is best known as a supporter of the visual arts and boasts that the annual CAPO gala auction, where arts works donated by local artists help to raise funds, has become recognised as a significant yearly survey of the Canberra region’s leading established and emerging visual and craft artists.

In another departure from normal practice, the actual winners of the 25 annual awards this year will be announced well before the gala on October 25 at Government House, where CAPO patron Bree Pickering will also announce the winner of the CAPO fellowship.

Award applications are now open until September 24 here.

CAPO’s “Paint the Town Red” gala auction, Albert Hall, November 10. Book here.