Art grants

Art grants

By Edward McLeish

The City of Melbourne has awarded more than $800,000 to a diverse range of artists, as part of the latest round of its annual arts grants program.

70 artists and creative organisations have received funding for 2020, representing one of the largest cohorts of grant recipients ever funded by the City of Melbourne.

Chair of the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio Cr Rohan Leppert said the grants provided a major boost for Melbourne’s arts scene, with projects stretching from theatre, dance and music to writing, multimedia and visual arts.

“This year’s recipients are some of the most diverse we’ve ever seen and are a testament to the continued growth of our city’s renowned arts scene,” Cr Leppert said.

“With this funding more than 1070 artists will be employed to create 1400 days of arts activity, 74 per cent of which will be completely free to the public.”

One of the 70 winners included Anna Varendorff of ACV Studio.

The designer’s new project, Walnut Gallery, is expected to open in Swanston St’s Nicholas Building early next year.

“Walnut Gallery will have a small series of exhibitions in the first half of 2020, working with artists of varied research backgrounds where the material nature of their work sits between art, design and craft practices,” Anna told CBD News.

“The intimacy of the building and the relationship it has to housing varied practices for a significant time period undoubtedly influences both Walnut Gallery and its visitors.”

“The council have been very personable, understanding that project proposals are a little malleable with time and environment, but remaining in support of the key ideas.”

Cr Leppert said the latest round of arts grants were part of the City of Melbourne’s new Creative Funding Framework.

“Council invests over $4 million into arts and creative outcomes each year by independent artists and arts organisations,” he said.

“The framework helps us set out a clear purpose and principles to guide our future investment up to 2024.”

Since Labor has been in power …

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March 20th, 2024 - Evan Mulholland
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