Awards fund artists’ projects

NINE local visual and performing artists are the latest recipients of Ballarat Arts Foundation Awards grants.

Painter and photographer Melissa Wilson, theatre performer and director Olivia French, print workshop teacher Sarah Hart and textile artist Alex Bayley have all been awarded money to support the realisation of their own unique projects.

Also receiving grants to further their practices are dancer and writer Lily Goodfellow, sculptor Kate Gorman, ethnomusicologist James McKinnon, visual artist Georgina Gould-Hardwick, and painter Kelsie White.

Ballarat Arts Foundation chair Paula Nicholson said 33 “inspiring” people applied for the funding round worth $16,000 in total, and that the board is committed to supporting emerging creatives in flexible ways.

“We are very aware of the difficulties faced by artists from all genres during the pandemic. This year we discovered resilience, brilliance, and clever adaptation in the swathe of fascinating and COVID proof projects that came forward for consideration,” she said.

“We recognise the desolation of the arts industry in the last 20 months and commend and congratulate those who are persisting with art-making.

“We are open to ongoing enquiries outside of our normal grant round for 2022, and applications for that will open in June next year.”

The Foundation has still delivered events this year, presenting a performing arts masterclass with actor Lisa McCune, opera singer David Hobson, and actor and playwright Roland Rocchiccioli in July, and facilitating their 2021 mentoring program, which wraps up next month.

Planned concerts, including a 21st birthday fundraising performance featuring BAF alumni, have been postponed to Autumn 2022.

Expressions of interest for the 2022 mentoring program can be made via ballaratartsfoundation.org.au, and those who would like to apply for funding support can contact [email protected].

Visit bit.ly/2Zc3sQp to watch the full awards presentation package.