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Regional Arts Venues Strengthen Community Connections

19 June 2019

Six regional arts venues will share in almost $200,000 of grants for activities that aim to connect communities and turn first-time audience members into arts experts.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley today announced the latest grants to help regional art galleries and performing arts centres build their audiences, including engaging those who are not currently frequent attendees.

Gippsland and Warrnambool Art Galleries will each create a new position for a local Indigenous curator who will focus on curating exhibitions and leading projects and programs that promote understanding of local First Peoples culture.

Riverlinks in Shepparton will use its grant to partner with Multicultural Arts Victoria and local artists from the region’s Pacific, African and First Peoples communities on a music program culminating in a series of concerts that celebrate the diverse cultures that call Shepparton home.

Bendigo Art Gallery will create a new interactive space and will lead a program of workshops, artist talks and activities with a special focus on inspiring young First Peoples community members to explore their creative talents.

Bendigo will also get its groove on when acclaimed contemporary dance company Chunky Move partners with Capital Venues and Events on a project that will invite 200 community members to become part of a mass dance performance at the iconic Poppet Head site.

The Cube in Wodonga will work with local performers to create a series of pop up events that will be staged before and after scheduled performances.

Dubbed ‘Cube Sessions’, the events will create a festival-style atmosphere with food and activities that will encourage people to stay at the venue after a show and give local artists another opportunity to showcase their talents.

The grants build on the Andrews Labor Government’s investment in the programming and operations of council-run regional arts venues through the Regional Partnerships program.

For more detail on the latest recipients, go to creative.vic.gov.au/news.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

“From new staff members to new events, it’s wonderful to see how regional arts venues are building connections and working to ensure they are inviting and inspiring places for the whole community.”

“Victoria is the creative state and these grants will shape new opportunities for creative participation and expression in regional Victoria.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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