Foundation grants to help artists achieve

A MASTER course for an inspired young harpist, equipment to finish a film on processing grief, and the means to develop a new welding studio are among a wide range of projects benefiting from the latest round of Ballarat Arts Foundation grants.

Celebrated at a special award ceremony at Ballarat Tech School last Thursday evening, the latest round of BAF grants have gone to seven diverse local recipients all keen to put the dollars toward different creative pursuits.

 

They include 10-year-old harpist Anna Macak who has received the Stubbs Roberts Award that will allow the young musician to attend the ANA Kioloa Harp Master Course music camp in January.

Anna fell in love with the harp at the age of three while watching it being played on kids television show, Charlie and Lola. She got her first harp at age five.

“My heart just clicked with it,” she said.

 

“This (grant) will enable me to go to the music camp in New South Wales. It’s a very rare opportunity and I will also get to play with other harpists in a harp ensemble.”

Film maker Fehraz Lateef received the Jack Anderson Award for Film Making enabling him to finish post-production of his feature film Slow about grief and care.

Georgie Stokol received the Haymes Family Foundation Award allowing her to develop her welding studio and sculptural practice using steel, resin, fibreglass and neon.

 

Documentary maker Diana Paez received the Jesse Crow Memorial Award meaning she can hire essential equipment and consult a cinematographer for her short documentary celebrating migrant women, and honouring the life of a South Sudanese Ballarat woman of refugee background.

Musician William Hinde received the Louis Stevens Award for Musicianship enabling him to add an E-flat clarinet to his collection of single-reed instruments, enhancing his orchestral options as he develops his career as a professional musician.

 

Jessica Schroeter received the Emma Barrance Inclusive Arts Award to fund art supplies enabling her to assist visual artists with disabilities to stage an upcoming public exhibition.

Jackson Cass of band Confetti Western received the Nicholson Award for Contemporary Performance enabling the band to produce a limited run of vinyl records as they prepare to release a debut full-length album next year.

 

“With over 30 applications totaling requests for over $150,000 the grants and mentoring committee had some solid work to do,” BAF chair Paula Nicholson said, reflecting on the process that went into selecting the successful grant recipients.

“Once again the group consists of highly talented artists set to deliver quality work through their projects of choice, all with a connection to Ballarat.”

 

Currently celebrating its 25th year, the Ballarat Arts Foundation annually offers grants to emerging artists through a suite of named awards and BAF genre awards, with the next round set to open in June next year.