Victorian artists working in theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and more will bring their creative projects to life thanks to the latest round of grants through the Victorian Government’s VicArts Grants program.
Grants totalling almost $1.5 million will support close to 70 groundbreaking projects across the state. Overall, these projects will provide career and employment opportunities for more than 2,000 Victorian artists and associated professionals. From podcasts to concerts that pair classical musicians and DJs – the latest round of projects illustrates the diversity and dynamism of the creative talent who call Victoria home.
The round supports both established artists, such as physical theatre director and founding member of Circus Oz, Sue Broadway; and emerging creative talent including author Katherine Brabon who last year won The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award – a prize that kickstarted the careers of authors such as Tim Winton.
Many projects are significant in scale such as Waking the Giants, which will create a performance inspired by the giant volcanoes around Mount Elephant, or Street Skeeters – a new theatre work that will see giant puppet maker Daniele Poidomani working with athletes with a disability who will operate puppets via their sports-wheelchairs.
Several projects aim to drive social change including a project by Behind the Wire, an organisation that seeks to tell the stories of people kept in mandatory detention. The School of Hard Knocks has also received support for a men’s choir project aimed at promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Career development is the focus of several projects, including the establishment of a new residency program that will see artists working at Melbourne’s Arts House and in the Natimuk community, while performer/choreographer Nicola Gunn will tour her dance and theatre work, Piece for Person and Ghetto Blaster to Canada and Europe.
For the first time, the program offered grants to support programs that run over two years with supported activities including festivals, concerts and publications. Applications for the next round of the VicArts Grants program will close on 22 February for projects commencing from 1 July 2018.
For more information and to read the complete list of recipients, visit: www.creative.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Nicola Gunn, Piece For Person and Ghetto Blaster – photo by Gregory Lorenzutti