Artists given space to flourish

THE Geelong Arts Centre is giving six of the region’s creatives free studio spaces to help them develop new works.

After years of enduring what was essentially an industry shutdown, the Creative Engine grant packages have a combined value of over $50,000 and are designed to foster new works from the regions mostly performative artists.

“There is nothing we love more at Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine than watching the early seeds of local projects develop and flourish,” the centre’s head of programming Penny McCabe said.

Under the application criteria of connection, innovation and thoughtfulness, artists will be given in-kind studio access to the Ryrie Street centre so they can develop their works.

These include Marta Elizabeth Lopez whose Geelong Latin American Movement seeks to expand interest for her community through stage, theatre performances and audio-visual art, and Caroline Meaden whose Mouse in the Room continues her practice of blending dance, language and acting alongside five collaborators.

Accompanying her studio access, Belle Hansen’s The World According to Dinosaurs was also awarded $1,000 to develop the work that interrogates the fact and fiction of human existence.

Ms Hansen was similarly granted $1,000 to develop Project Connect, that seeks to bring theatre makers together to explore themes of connection in the modern world through exploration and play.

The final two Creative Engine grant recipients are each given $5,000, in-kind studio access and mentoring opportunities to bring their works to life.

Cabaret artist Miss Cairo’s work Breast Become Her asks at what point is the queer transgendered cabaret artist of colour, considered a woman?

Christian Cavallo’s work The Mentor, explores varying perceptions of sexism, ageism, respect, consent and mental health when one time Hollywood star Amanda Redfern begins tutoring young actor Jordan Ridley.

“We have so much creative talent connected to our region, and we are thrilled that these grant recipients will not only receive project-specific support, but also join a community of like-minded creatives who will have a lasting impact on their broader artistic practice,” the Arts Centre’s Ms McCabe said.