The latest grants from Victoria’s regional arts package support local groups and tours by flagship organisations.

The Victorian State Government has announced more than $1 million in grants to provide support for a range of tours and arts programmes across the state. The funding aims to attract flagship organisations to regional areas, support local groups to present shows in local venues and strengthen performing arts in regional Victoria.

Announcing the latest round of grants, Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: “Whether it’s in big cities or a small regional town – creative activities make places more liveable, boost tourism and create jobs for artists, organisations and local arts workers.”

“This funding will strengthen regional creativity – supporting major organisations to take their work to regional areas and community groups who are passionate about their local arts scene.”

State Library Victoria, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeler Centre are the three recipients of the recent round of funding to enable them to take a variety of programmes including workshops and professional development sessions to regional towns over the next two years.

Nine artists and companies will share in grants totalling $328,697 through the Touring Victoria programme. Tours include performances by Circus Oz and Melbourne Ballet Company, and a digital and real-world project that will invite the Ararat community to participate in a mass creative treasure hunt.

As detailed in the Victorian Government press release, grants have also been provided through the Small Regional Presenters programme, which supports local community groups and arts councils to attract and curate performances in their communities.

Eleven regionally-based groups in towns such as Cororooke, Stratford, Tongala and Yarck have received support to bring performing arts events to local stages and unusual spaces including the Charlton Golf Club, Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre and the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Phillip Island.

The City of Greater Bendigo has received a $160,000 grant to develop its Enlighten projection festival, established in 2016 as a small-scale public art project that brought local young people together with artists and mentors to create artworks which were projected onto Bendigo buildings, shopfronts, public spaces and laneways. The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation is another beneficiary with a $75,000 grant to employ an Aboriginal Project Officer.

This latest round of funding is part of the Labor Government’s $20 million regional arts package – a four-year commitment to the regional arts sector announced in the 2015/16 Victorian Budget. The next round of the Small Regional Presenters and Touring Victoria programmes will close in August 2017.

Guidelines, eligibility and a full list of the latest grant recipients can be found HERE