Funding for a bigger, better Biennale

IN time for the coordination of next year’s Ballarat International Foto Biennale, the Federal Government has announced a grant funding for the event.

The money is coming from a pool of $60 million under Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said the funding will provide support for the celebrated Ballarat art festival.

“I am pleased to announce the Biennale has received $384,800 through the RISE Fund to deliver the 2021 Ballarat International Foto Biennale Reimagined,” she said.

“This grant will secure the ongoing viability of this major tourism event for Ballarat and allow the organisers to purchase new technology that is required to adapt to COVID requirements and work with artists and exhibitors to develop virtual and digital exhibitions.

“We know that Ballarat punches above its weight in terms of its creative arts and the contribution it makes in regional Victoria and the Biennale is so important because it disperses itself amongst the entire community.”

In preparation for the festival, BIFB artistic director Fiona Sweet said the funding is instrumental to the formation of various facets of the event.

“There’s two programs, there’s the core program where we commission artists from around the world bringing great artists and audiences to Ballarat,” she said.

“The open program where cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and unused historic buildings display local artists, emerging artists and community artists.

“We also have an outdoor public program, which is really great that we are going to be able to grow with this RISE funding, particularly because of COVID because outdoor has become a major part of most arts organisations.”

Although yet to be announced international and acclaimed artists are secured within the program, Ms Sweet said there are still avenues for local artists and audiences to get involved.

“We’ve sorted all the commissioned artists but for the open program we’re still looking for more people,” she said.

“The Martin Kantor Prize that people can still apply for, the Fineman New Photography Award which is open to everyone in the Asia-Pacific for something unusual and different and the open program.

“For audiences and tourists, when they come to the festival, they aren’t just going to an event at the Art Gallery, they can actually immerse themselves.”