Celebration toasts regional creativity

Arts grant recipients for 2022-23 attended a special celebration at Wurriki Nyal following their successful applications.

COUNCIL’S 2022-23 Arts Projects grant recipients are in good spirits, attending a celebration for their application efforts at the region’s civic precinct.

Music, performance, visual arts, film and writing projects worth up to $10,000 each and $203,000 in total were each acknowledged at Geelong’s Wurriki Nyal, celebrating the diversity of artists and the artistic life of Greater Geelong.

Representatives from 12 different grant projects attended the event, including representatives of the Geelong Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYO).

The GYO will utilise $10,000 to expand a new and unique orchestral program for young people across Geelong and The Bellarine.

Chair of the Creative Communities and Culture Portfolio and Mayor Trent Sullivan said Council is excited to assist the region’s arts projects.

“We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate these 22 upcoming arts projects and help groups receive information about their grants, networking opportunities and tips for project success,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“We have a wealth of creativity and knowledge in our region, so I can’t wait to see how the final projects take shape.”

Geelong Gallery representatives also attended the event.

The gallery will use its $10,000 grant to present an exhibition of Back to Back Theatre’s participatory exhibition ‘Portrait’ from March 18.

The exhibition, ‘Portrait’, collaborated with female-identifying students from Nelson Park School and Barwon Valley School.

Grant recipients alongside Councillor Jim Mason. Photos: PATRICK CALLOW

Council stated all planning for funded projects is well underway, with delivery to commence throughout 2023.

Councillor Jim Mason, Deputy Chair of the Creative Communities and Culture portfolio, presented to the group and spoke about the positive outcomes of arts grants.

“It was a pleasure to present to and meet with so many professional and passionate local creatives, who were eager to share how they can make their funding work as hard as possible,” Cr Mason said.