Creative cash empowering artists to get out of town

APPLICATIONS for the 2025 round of the Touring Victoria program are open.

The initiative provides between $10,000 and $150,000 for regional producers and artists to tour to metropolitan Melbourne to reach new audiences and build professional networks.

The program also assists Melbourne artists and creative organisations in taking their events to regional and outer-metropolitan venues around the state.

The previous round supported six companies to perform 224 times at over 118 destinations around Victoria.

Acts included MEERTA – Rise Up! The Ballad of James Arden, a new First Nations musical production by Gunditjmara singer-songwriter David Arden, exploring Aboriginal identity, resilience and celebration, which was performed across 10 different locations.

Other recipients were Orchestra Victoria, which toured 12 locations for a series of concerts and workshops at regional venues, aged care homes, schools and libraries, and a musical circus production for families with a cast of 12 young acrobats from the National Youth Circus.

Award-winning production company Finucane & Smith also worked with community members to present Lola – a show that told the tale of legendary Spanish showgirl Lola Montez.

“Victoria is the creative state, and we’re making sure that wherever people live they can experience all the fantastic events on offer,” Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said.

“This program is also making sure that Victorian artists, companies and venues can grow their audiences, build their businesses, and deliver an economic boost to their local communities.”

Applications will close on Thursday 4 December.

For more information visit the Creative Victoria website.