The Victorian Government is investing in the long-term recovery of our creative sector with applications now open for the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson today called for applications for the next round of grants, which will support arts organisations and regional community groups to plan for arts tours and performances taking place across regional Victoria and outer-metropolitan Melbourne from January 2022.
“We all miss live performances and events and we know our creative industry is hurting, like so many sectors are right now – while this support will help, we can’t wait to see our regional arts and culture scene thriving again,” said Minister Pearson.
“These programs mean when we’re on the other side of the pandemic, audiences across Victoria will be spoilt for choice when it comes to theatre shows, music gigs, comedy, exhibitions and more.”
The Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs aim to ensure that regional audiences and venues get access to high-quality arts experiences close to home.
Touring Victoria provides support for Victorian artists, and arts and cultural organisations to tour a professional production, performance, exhibition or program in regional and outer-metropolitan locations across the state. The latest round will support tours taking place from 2022-2024.
Recognising the impact the pandemic has had on the sector, presenters who previously received funding for tours that were subsequently cancelled can apply to help cover the costs of remounting a tour. Applications to the Touring Victoria program close at 3.00pm on 7 October 2021.
The Small Regional Presenters Program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community groups and not for profit organisations in regional Victoria to enable them to present shows between 1 January and 31 December 2022. This round will be delivered by Regional Arts Victoria on behalf of the Government.
The Small Regional Presenters program is open to a range of live performance events, including theatre, music, comedy and literary events. Groups that have previously been funded through the program can also apply to for funding to implement COVIDSafe measures at their rescheduled shows. Applications close 12:00pm on 14 October 2021.
The new grant rounds are in addition to more than $880,000 in funding provided earlier this year through Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters. This funding has enabled some events to take place in a COVIDSafe way this year, while others are planning their tours and events for late 2021 through to 2023.
Continued support for regional and outer-metropolitan touring was part of the Government’s $288 million Creative State 2025 strategy – a four-year plan to grow creative jobs and skills and position Victoria’s creative industries at the heart of the state’s future economic prosperity and social wellbeing.
For more information on the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs, visit: www.creative.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Chewton Town Hall – courtesy of Creative Victoria