Arts Foundation celebrates young performers

WHEN you are in the business of giving money away it helps when you have friends with deep pockets who believe in your cause.

Ballarat residents and organisations have supported the Ballarat Arts Foundation’s grants program once again this year.

Paula Nicholson, Ballarat Arts Foundation Chair, said the Foundation was able to assist a short-listed group of worthy winners with $16,000 of funding.

“Our organisation has been sustained by the community of Ballarat since inception in 2000, and we are so honoured to have the faith of our supporters in providing assistance to emerging artists,” Ms Nicholson said.

Reuben Rasmussen, a keen photographer who is currently studying photography as a VCE subject, was presented with the Fiona Sweet and Paul Newcombe Award for Photography.

Ballarat International FOTO Biennale artistic director Fiona Sweet said as new residents to Ballarat she and Paul were delighted to be able to support the Ballarat Arts Foundation.

“This year we were thrilled to once again have a photographic award for an emerging photographic artist and I personally look forward to seeing Reuben’s career progress,” she said.

The award has enabled Mr Rasmussen to purchase a wide-angle lens which will help him pursue a career in photography with an interest in photojournalism.

Mr Rasmussen was humbled to receive the funding.

“I am forever grateful,” he said. “I find it very important that there is support behind young creative minds, allowing a special uniqueness in society.”

Rhiannon Simpson bought an amplifier compatible with the international power sources when she received the VJ Award for Overseas Study from the Foundation.

She is a guitarist now living and undertaking a PhD in Music Education in Canada.

Ms Simpson said the funds received from BAF have allowed her to begin performing in Canada knowing she can book more shows and have reliable, trustworthy gear.

“It’s incredible to know that despite being so far away, there is a network back home in Ballarat who is willing to support the musical endeavours of local artists, and afford them the opportunities for growth that may not have been otherwise possible,” she said.

Val Sarah, one of the donors for the VJ award said it was introduced in 2010 to assist artists venturing overseas for further study.

“In a modest way, the benefits can be enormous,” Ms Sarah said. “Not only as an opportunity to broaden their experience internationally, but also to create networks to last a lifetime adding a global understanding of different cultures and traditions.

“In this case it will help Rhiannon perform her beloved blue-grass and equally as importantly, earn a living whilst studying for her PhD.”

The 2019 Ballarat Arts Foundation annual award winners and donors are Charlotte Chivers – Rotary Club of South Ballarat Award for Visual and Performing Arts, Hattie Fredlja – Jean Read Memorial Award, Marcus Govan – Louis Stevens Award for Musicianship, Clare Ellen O’Connor – BLOC and Lyric Theatre Award for Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, Reuben Rasmussen – Fiona Sweet and Paul Newcombe Award for Photography, Daisy Rogers – Craig Revel-Horwood Award for Contemporary Dance and Choreography, Rhiannon Simpson – VJ Award for Overseas Study, Georgia Venema – Rotary Club of South Ballarat Award for Visual and Performing Arts and the band Saint Ivory made up of Kaine Hansen, BJ Humphrey and Tim O’Keefe – Nicholson Award for Contemporary Performance.