Next year’s Regional Centre for Culture initiative takes a step forward with the appointment of two experienced producers – Jo Porter and Elizabeth Walsh.
An initiative of the Victorian Government’s Creative State strategy, the inaugural Regional Centre for Culture in 2018 will be held in one of Victoria’s key regional cultural hubs, encompassing the City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander Shire, Central Goldfields Shire and Hepburn Shire. This area has been named the first Regional Centre for Culture because of its significant reputation in the arts, creativity and community expression.
Jo Porter has a wealth of experience in the arts and culture sector having worked in producing and business development roles in Australia, the UK and USA. She is the former Chair of Geelong theatre company Back to Back and former Executive Producer at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre.
Jo has worked on a range of Broadway and West-End theatre productions for acclaimed producers Richard Frankel Productions in New York and Really Useful Group in London. In Australia, she has worked with a range of clients, including The Australian Ballet to the City of Ballarat, Chamber Made Opera and St Martins Youth Theatre.
Elizabeth Walsh is an artistic director, producer and curator who has worked across the performing and visual arts sector. Her career has seen her create new work with small companies through to national institutions and international festivals. She is the former director of Footscray Community Arts Centre and the former CEO and artistic director of Tasmania’s state-wide cultural festival Ten Days on the Island.
Jo and Elizabeth will work with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, local councils, creative practitioners and groups and the local community to develop the Regional Centre for Culture program.
The appointment of the producers follows the launch of the Regional Centre for Culture – Local Grants program which will provide grants of between $1,500 and $30,000 to support local creative projects and activities. Applications are now open and close at 5.00pm on Thursday 31 August 2017. For more information, visit: www.creative.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Local creatives gather on the steps of The Capital in Bendigo for the Regional Centre for Culture announcement – photo by Bill Conroy (courtesy of Creative Victoria)