Western Victoria’s artists and creative businesses are among hundreds of Victorian creatives to receive a lifeline from the Victorian Government, enabling them to keep working, adapting and creating through the pandemic.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced a total of $48,000 to local creative workers to support activities, including a new performance piece, the development of a dedicated training space within an existing print studio, and a new exhibition.
Recipients of the grant include:
- Anglesea Art House – $10,000 to develop digital content to showcase artists
- The F Project (Warrnambool) – $10,000 to build online capacity and expand their virtual gallery
- Caroline Hawkins (Anglesea) – $2600 to produce digital work
- Casey Hartnett (Winchelsea) – $5000 to support the digital release of existing works and further develop an online portfolio
- Christine Davey (Alvie) – $5000 to undertake research, development and upskilling opportunities to inform new theatre projects
- Yaraan Bundle (Warrnambool) – $5000 to support the completion of a short documentary
- Gareth Colliton (Warrnambool) – $5000 to research and develop a graphic novel
- Harley Manifold (Warrnambool) – $5000 to purchase equipment and materials, adapt his practice and build capacity in marketing
- Matthew Clarke (Warrnambool) – $5000 to support research, as well as development of work for an exhibition and associated publication
- Melissa Dance (Warrnambool) – $5000 to support a new performance piece
- Steven Conte (Warrnambool) – $5000 to support the author to engage new markets and promote his novel to international publishers
- Tim Lucas (Barongarook West) – $5000 to support the development of a dedicated training space within an existing print studio
The Sustaining Creative Workers program provides targeted quick response assistance to Victorian creatives who have been hard-hit by the crisis.
This second tranche of the program delivers grants totalling $2.3 million to 373 independent creatives and creative micro-businesses and organisations right across Victoria – including artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, festivals, galleries, design studios, fashion labels and more.
The grants will enable them to develop, deliver and adapt their work in a changed environment, including supporting equipment upgrades, research and development, digital initiatives and professional and business capacity building.
Prior to the pandemic, the creative industries employed 280,000 Victorians and contributed $31 billion annually to the state economy. In recent months the sector has been devastated due to coronavirus related restrictions and closures, with thousands of people losing work and income.
Totalling $4.7 million overall, the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative is part of the Victorian Government’s $66.3 million survival package for the state’s creative sector.
This program was delivered in partnership with Regional Arts Victoria and Arts Access Victoria. For a full list of recipients visit creative.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Sustaining Creative Workers initiative is investing in the careers of Western Victoria’s creatives when they need it most. The Victorian Government is determined to help the sector survive, adapt and connect with audiences during this pandemic and beyond.”
“I’m pleased to announce these grants which will keep local creatives working through this tough period of restrictions, allowing them to future-proof their businesses and weather the storm.”