New funding for student art program

STUDENTS across the Southern Grampians Shire will continue to benefit from high-quality, innovative arts education beyond the classroom, thanks to a second round of state government funding for Hamilton Gallery through the Strategic Partnerships Program (SPP).

The new funding of $180,000 over the next two years (2026–2027) builds on the success of Hamilton Gallery’s previous SPP-supported education programs.

The Gallery was previously awarded $265,000 through the program, which enabled the significant expansion of creative learning opportunities for young people across the region.

Central to this success was the establishment of The Creator Lab, a dedicated arts education space at 84 Brown Street, which officially opened in May last year.

Since opening, The Creator Lab has become a vital hub for creative engagement, delivering workshops, outreach learning experiences and hands-on programs for schools, families and young people.

The space is home to the Gallery’s popular HG Play and HG Young Creatives programs, offering structured weekly sessions that foster imagination, skill development and personal expression in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Throughout last year, weekly workshops held on Wednesdays and Thursdays supported more than 2900 students, children and teenagers.

Participants explored drawing, mixed media and digital art techniques using professional-quality resources.

The gallery also delivered 65 onsite workshops to 25 regional and rural schools, addressing barriers to arts access and ensuring students could engage with professional arts education regardless of location or resources.

Feedback from participating schools, students and families highlighted the strong impact of the activities, with teachers noting increased confidence, creativity and engagement among participants.

Casterton Primary School art teacher Monika D said the Casterton Primary students were grateful and appreciative for the Printing and the Digital Art workshops that Hamilton Gallery convened at our school.

“I cannot overstate how incredibly valuable and engaging these days have been for us all. It has been a treat, truly unexpected and precious!” Monika D said.

The second round of SPP funding will allow Hamilton Gallery to build on these achievements this year.

Hamilton Gallery’s engagement and development co-ordinator Madi Whyte said the funding would ensure the continuation and expansion of programs.

“This funding is an incredible vote of confidence in the work we are doing with young people across the region,” Ms Whyte said.

“Through these initiatives, we are not only developing creative skills, but fostering curiosity, critical thinking and self-expression in young people. This funding allows us to strengthen our school partnerships, extend our outreach to rural communities and continue building creative pathways for the next generation.”