Back to Back Theatre gets federal grant

GEELONG’S Back to Back Theatre will receive nearly $400,000 as part of the seventh round of grants from the federal government’s $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.

First announced in mid-2020, the competitive grant funding program provides funds to arts and entertainment organisations to stage festivals, concerts, tours, exhibitions and events, including through innovative operating and digital delivery models.

The RISE fund supports increased employment opportunities, including the retention of artists and skilled workers in the arts and entertainment sector and allied industries.

Back to Back Theatre will use its $394,500 grant for “North Side” and create a series of cultural events in Geelong’s northern suburbs, including the installation of a public artwork, created in consultation with members of its community.

The company’s recent performances include Entity, Small Metal Objects and Food Court, and its many awards include Best Short Film at the 2020 Canadian Diversity Film Festival for Oddlands, the 2014 Green Room Award for Best Ensemble for The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes, and the 2014 Edinburgh International Festival Herald Angel Critics’ Award for Ganesh Versus the Third Reich.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said the funding would provide critical support for local arts organisations and assist local communities and economies to restart from the pandemic.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the latest round of $20 million will begin to flow immediately to 91 organisations across Australia to support a resilient creative and cultural sector.

“Today’s announcement takes to $200 million the funding that has been committed under RISE. It has gone to 541 projects, creating more than 213,000 jobs across Australia, to be seen by a total audience of 55 million people.

“The purpose of RISE is to back the arts and entertainment sector to recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19 shutdowns. We want to see venue doors thrown open to audiences; we want to see the curtains going up; and we want to see performers coming on stage to a welcoming roar of applause.

“This unprecedented injection of arts stimulus funding is producing an extraordinary cultural and creative dividend; with a two-year pipeline of supported events rolling out across Australia.”