Thirteen projects in Victoria have received $129,285 in funding through the Australian Government’s highly competitive Regional Arts Fund, delivered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.
Director of Partnerships at Regional Arts Victoria Liz Zito said that the projects in this round offered a diversity of artistic genres. “It is exciting to see such a broad range of projects across the state,” She said. “We are seeing grass roots community projects that will form collaborations between artists, some first time applicants making their mark in a regional setting and projects with high artistic integrity that will make huge impacts in small communities.”
“Projects in this Regional Arts Fund round will encompass dance, theatre, visual arts, crafts and textiles and cross art forms. Regional Arts Victoria is proud to partner with the Australian Government on this program, and we thank the applicants, as well as our independent panel, for their commitment to this vital fund,” said Ms Zito.
Successful applicants in Round 1, 2019 include:
Murtoa Stick Shed Committee of Management – Murtoa
The Murtoa Stick shed is an iconic heritage listed grain store built in 1941. The space is unique, like a rustic cathedral, with incredible acoustics. The committee will hold an artist’s residency with Natimuk artists Dave Jones, Anthony Schellens and Jillian Pearce that explores the artistic possibilities of the space and develop a new show that transforms the space and draws tourism to the region.
Punctum Inc – Castlemaine
Gateway is a mentorship program forging long-term alliances between artists, arts workers, makers, designers, musicians and performers from the Hazara, South Sudanese and Karen communities of regional Victoria with Punctum-associated professional contemporary artists. Running over seven months, the program will open a gateway to new work production and professional practice for artists of these three communities.
Baw Baw Arts Alliance – Yarragon
Drawing inspiration from the work of Jeff Koons who constructed a “disarming, non-threatening, peaceful and happy puppy” at the Guggenheim Museum, Baw Baw Arts Alliance aim to construct a 2-metre-high dog. In a tribute to the internationally renowned mosaicist Maery Gabriel who lived in Baw Baw, the dog will be covered with a community made patchwork of mosaic. Once finished Pat, The Dog will be positioned on the north side of the highway in Yarragon, next to the Station Gallery.
Ballarat International Foto Biennale Inc – Ballarat North
Foto Voice: Photographically Documenting Residents of Wendouree is a community engagement photographic event developed with Stockland Wendouree, Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre, Wendouree residents and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB). Utilising a portable studio, local stories will be gathered by Ballarat artist Erin McCuskey. The outcome of this project is a major exhibition during BIFB 2019 comprising of photographs ‘wallpapered’ to studio and surrounds, alongside film display inside the studio.
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia. The fund meets the strategic priorities of supporting participation in and access to the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts.
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund is provided through Regional Arts Australia. In Victoria, the Regional Arts Fund is administered by Regional Arts Victoria according to the objectives and general eligibility determined by the Australian Government.
Applications for Community Grants will re-open in July 2019. For more information and complete list of recipients, visit: www.rav.net.au for details.
Image: Malcolm Sanders, Murtoa Stick Shed, 2019 – courtesy of Regional Arts Victoria