The recipients of nearly $203,000 in Council’s 2023-2023 Arts Projects Grants have been congratulated and provided further support during a celebration at the region’s civic precinct, Wurriki Nyal
A total of 22 music, performance, visual arts, film and writing projects received grants of up to $10,000 each for the round, representing the diversity of artists and the artistic life of Greater Geelong
Twenty grant recipients from 12 different projects attended the event, including representatives of the Geelong Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYO). The GYO will utilise its $10,000 in funding to expand with a new and unique orchestral program of excellence for young people across Geelong and The Bellarine
Other attendees included representatives from Geelong Gallery which is using its $10,000 grant to present an exhibition of Back to Back Theatre’s participatory exhibition ‘Portrait’ from Friday 18 March. ‘Portrait’ collaborated with female-identifying students from Nelson Park School and Barwon Valley School and challenges existing photographic representations of disability, age, gender, and sexuality.
Planning for all funded projects is well underway, with delivery throughout 2023.
Councillor Jim Mason, Deputy Chair of the Creative Communities and Culture portfolio presented to the group and spoke about how positive outcomes from arts grants benefit not only the creative community, but residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds
The City’s Arts and Culture team offered advice on how to ensure the success of each project, with grant recipients introduced to the team member who would be providing each project with support.
Blink Dance Theatre creative directors Elise Wilkinson and Jess Lesosky delivered insights as previous 2021-2022 grant recipients on how the funding contributed to the development of their work, Small Wonders.
Mayor Trent Sullivan – Chair of the Creative Communities and Culture Portfolio
Council is excited to aid arts projects that support the region’s Clever and Creative, economic and accessibility aims
We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate these 22 upcoming arts projects and help groups receive information about their grants, networking opportunities and tips for project success
We have a wealth of creativity and knowledge in our region, so I can’t wait to see how the final projects take shape!
Councillor Mason
Council is proud to play a significant role in the development of creative works and projects in the community
It was a pleasure to present to and meet with so many professional and passionate local creatives, who were eager to share how they can make their funding work as hard as possible
I thank these groups for their contributions to make our region more artistically vibrant and inclusive.
