IN time for the coordination of next year\u2019s Ballarat International Foto Biennale, the Federal Government has announced a grant funding for the event.<\/p>\n
The money is coming from a pool of $60 million under Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund.<\/p>\n
Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said the funding will provide support for the celebrated Ballarat art festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased to announce the Biennale has received $384,800 through the RISE Fund to deliver the 2021 Ballarat International Foto Biennale Reimagined,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
In preparation for the festival, BIFB artistic director Fiona Sweet said the funding is instrumental to the formation of various facets of the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s two programs, there\u2019s the core program where we commission artists from around the world bringing great artists and audiences to Ballarat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe open program where cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and unused historic buildings display local artists, emerging artists and community artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve sorted all the commissioned artists but for the open program we\u2019re still looking for more people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor audiences and tourists, when they come to the festival, they aren\u2019t just going to an event at the Art Gallery, they can actually immerse themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IN time for the coordination of next year\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n