The Andrews Labor Government will provide funding allowing the Shepparton Art Museum to employ a resident Aboriginal arts worker, encouraging new programs for locals and visitors.
Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, on a visit to Shepparton today announced a $33,000 Creative Victoria grant, which will help the museum further connect with the local Aboriginal community and provide a resident with professional curatorial and programming skills.
Shepparton has the largest Aboriginal population of any regional town in Victoria. Creative Victoria worked to develop the residency opportunity after the Museum and the local Aboriginal arts community expressed a need for deeper links and an exchange of skills.
The residency will take place over a nine-month period. The resident will be involved in curatorial duties and the development of public programs.
It is part of Creative Victoria’s Indigenous Visual Arts Residencies program, which supports indigenous artists and arts workers with residencies at high-profile arts organisations and galleries across the state.
Past residencies have been hosted by Museum Victoria, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, The Art Vault in Mildura and the Centre for Contemporary Photography.
The Shepparton residency is jointly supported by Creative Victoria and the Commonwealth Ministry for the Arts through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley
“This new residency will build on the Andrews Labor Government’s support for local arts in Shepparton.”
“The residency will deepen collaboration between Shepparton Art Museum and the local Aboriginal community, provide vital professional skills to a resident curator, and result in new programs for local and visiting art lovers.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021