A total of 23 projects by artists and arts organisations from across the State will share in almost $1 million in funding through the McGowan Government’s Arts 15k-plus grant program.
One successful applicant, The Centre for Stories, received $42,465 for their new online journal PORTSIDE REVIEW. The publication will feature poetry, essays, non-fiction and fiction by Western Australian writers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Bunbury Regional Theatre received $44,312 to deliver a weekend residency in May 2021 for 20 artists from the South-West and Great Southern regions. The residency will provide a valuable opportunity for the artists to network with peers and get feedback on projects in a supportive and creative environment.
Individual recipient, Fremantle-based visual artist Amy Perejuan-Capone, received a $29,949 grant to develop a solo exhibition of new work that will be staged at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) next year.
The Arts 15k-plus program provides grants between $15,000 and $60,000 for one-off projects or programs of activity.
Applications to the next round open in 2021 through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“The Arts 15k-plus grant program supports Western Australian artists and enables communities to participate and actively engage in high quality arts and cultural experiences.
“Western Australian artists, creatives and arts organisations have shown extraordinary resilience during this time of physical distancing and border restrictions.
“This funding supports the sector to bounce back – it will support the curtain to reopen, literature to be written, music to be recorded, cultural practice and more vital activities to take place to foster our vibrant and diverse State.”
Arts 15k-plus successful recipients – July 2020 round:
Amy Perejuan-Capone, FREMANTLE, $29,949
The grant will support the development of Sky Cave, Amy Perejuan-Capone’s new solo exhibition to be staged at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2021.
Barking Gecko Theatre Company, PERTH, $60,000
This support for Barking Gecko will go towards their new artist development initiative, a year-long mentoring program that will give two artists the opportunity to work alongside the theatre company’s own team, while developing their skills and capacity as future arts leaders.
Brooke Leeder, COMO, $26,775
The funding will support the presentation of In Good Company, a triple bill of contemporary dance works by WA artists Brooke Leeder, Rob Tinning and Mitch Harvey to be staged at the Perth Mess Hall.
Bunbury Regional Theatre Inc, BUNBURY, $44,312
The funding will enable Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC) to deliver their next BREC Artists Residency at Donnelly River Village for 20 South-West and Great Southern artists to test ideas, collaborate and explore cross art form possibilities.
Centre for Stories Limited, NORTHBRIDGE, $42,465
The grant will assist the Centre for Stories with their new PORTSIDE REVIEW, an online journal that seeks to strengthen diversity in publications.
City of Belmont, CLOVERDALE, $30,000
The City of Belmont will stage The Imaginarium, a free four-day festival featuring performances and workshops for the local community. The event will provide an important opportunity for local artists to generate income.
CS Akindele-Obe & MA Baxter & QM Saad & GK Sanyangore & J van der Merwe, PARKERVILLE, $59,750
The funding will support the commissioning of artists at the 2021 Indian Ocean Craft Triennial, as well as activities to connect with Aboriginal and multicultural communities and a publicity and marketing campaign.
Fremantle Biennale, FREMANTLE, $59,967
The funding will support Fremantle Biennale staff and artists to conduct artistic research and development, as well as site, logistics and partnership development for the 2021 event.
Gemma Farrell, HAMILTON HILL, $27,903
Female jazz group Artemis Orchestra will launch their debut album thanks to this funding which will support composer and musician fees, as well as recording, design and promotional activities.
International Art Space Pty Ltd, PERTH, $18,000
Perth-based arts organisation International Art Space will use this funding to broaden their reach within the sector and beyond through an improved communications and marketing strategy.
Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation, ROEBOURNE, $58,000
The funding will support the development of Ngurra Nyujunggamu Stories From the Heart of Yindjibarndi Culture, a project using puppetry and storytelling as tools for strengthening and sharing culture and re-engaging the community in social and creative practice.
Musica Viva Australia, PERTH, $58,350
The grant will provide four disadvantaged communities in Mandurah and Rockingham with access to school music residences, concerts with highly skilled WA ensembles and community activities through Musica Viva’s Connecting Communities Through Music program.
Natalie Allen, WILLETTON, $32,180
Natalie Allen’s solo dance theatre work Julia, in partnership with Steamwork Arts, will be supported in its final stages of stage design, choreography, sound/composition and visual elements.
Seesaw Magazine Incorporated, WEST PERTH, $59,087
Seesaw Magazine will use this grant to develop a research, marketing and awareness campaign to boost readership and commission new content by Western Australian artists.
Sophie Curtis, INGLEWOOD, $18,198
The funding will support the delivery of the WA Young Artists Chamber Music Program (WAYACHAMP) in 2021. The program provides skills development activities for musicians and composers aged 10 to 17.
Steve Hawke, MUNDARING, $29,250
Perth-based writer Steve Hawke will be supported to complete his ninth book Gift Horse.
The Last Great Hunt Inc, PERTH, $60,000
The theatre company will use this funding to develop and present their 2021 Emerging Artist Programme, supporting pathways to paid creative employment for emerging theatre artists.
The Trustee for The Maiden Voyage Productions Trust, PERTH, $51,544
Maiden Voyage Theatre Company and theatre collective Lindstedt & Davies will use this funding to present new work Ugly Virgins at the Blue Room Theatre in 2021.
Tone List Inc, CITY BEACH, $32,585
The funding will support the 2021 Audible Edge festival of experimental music and sound. The program will be made up of performances, an exhibition and workshops.
Writing WA Inc, PERTH, $59,730
Writing WA will be supported to present the 2021 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, a three-day celebration of Asian and Australian literature, at The Rechabite in Northbridge.
Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation, SUBICAO, $44,081
The funding will support the Yirra Yaakin WA Emerging Indigenous Producers Program, allowing seven emerging Indigenous producers to receive a crash course in theatre production.
Yiyili Community Aboriginal Corporation, HALLS CREEK, $59,663
The funding will support cultural maintenance and skills development workshops for Gooniyandi people from Yiyili and surrounds. The workshops will provide training for the Laarri Gallery to diversify their merchandise available for sale – improving economic outcomes and job opportunities for local artists.
Youth Futures, JOONDALUP, $24,266
Funding will support the Youth Futures Aboriginal Art Project – a 13-week course for young Aboriginal people to explore Aboriginal language and art, and their role in establishing cultural identity and preserving cultural practices and traditions.
