The latest round of grants from the Australia Council for the Arts has been announced, with projects centred on health and wellbeing the strongest beneficiaries. Big hART’s SKATE Halfpipe, a new touring work focused on youth mental health, a community project from Everybody NOW! Ltd, which explores age through the relationship between seniors and children, and a theatre experience from director Sarah Austin for babies and their carers are among the projects funded. The latest grants round sees an investment of $6.5 million in 186 projects, to be delivered by 131 individual artists or groups and 55 small to medium arts organisations.

Claire EdwardesClaire Edwardes. Photo © Jordan Adams

Frank Panucci, Australia Council Executive Director, Grants and Engagement, has said that many of the projects funded in this round also demonstrate a significant focus on community.

“Around one-third of the successful applicants nominated audience engagement or access and participation in the arts as primary outcomes of their project, reflecting the Australia Council’s strategic aim of connecting Australians through creativity,” he said. “Now more than ever the arts and creativity have a critical role in bringing communities together.”