Grants to support arts sector open again

THE Victorian Government is helping the state’s creative sector prepare for next year by opening applications to the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs.

Last week, Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said the latest grants would support arts organisations and regional community groups to plan for arts tours and performances taking place across regional Victoria and outer-metropolitan Melbourne from January 2022.

The Small Regional Presenters Program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community groups and not-for-profit organisations in regional Victoria to enable them to present shows between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

Recipients in the round of funding earlier in 2021 include the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Queenscliff Literary Festival and Anglesea’s The Sound Doctor Presents.

This round will be delivered by Regional Arts Victoria on behalf of the government.

The Small Regional Presenters program is open to a range of live performances, including theatre, music, comedy and literary events.

Groups that have previously been funded through the program can also apply to for funding to implement COVIDSafe measures at their rescheduled shows.
Applications close at noon on October 14.

The Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs aim to ensure that regional audiences and venues get access to high-quality arts experiences close to home.

Touring Victoria provides support for Victorian artists, and arts and cultural organisations to tour a professional production, performance, exhibition or program in regional and outer-metropolitan locations across the state.

The latest round will support tours taking place from 2022-2024.

Recognising the impact the pandemic has had on the sector, presenters who previously received funding for tours that were subsequently cancelled can apply to help cover the costs of remounting a tour.

Applications to the Touring Victoria program close at 3pm on October 7.

The new grant rounds are in addition to more than $880,000 in funding provided earlier this year through Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters.

This funding has enabled some events to take place in a COVIDSafe way this year, while others are planning their tours and events for late 2021 through to 2023.

“We all miss live performances and events and we know our creative industry is hurting, like so many sectors are right now – while this support will help, we can’t wait to see our regional arts and culture scene thriving again,” Mr Pearson said.

“These programs mean when we’re on the other side of the pandemic, audiences across Victoria will be spoilt for choice when it comes to theatre shows, music gigs, comedy, exhibitions and more.”

For more information in the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs, head to the Creative Victoria website.