Creative grants open for month of February

THE Surf Coast’s creative community can apply for funding through Council’s DEVELOP Arts and Creatives Grant program, which opened its application process on Wednesday last week.

All Surf Coast locals from artistic disciplines were invited to apply for grants, Cr Gary Allen encouraged.

“The Surf Coast has long been known as the home of surfing,” he said.

“We’ve got the waves, the walks, the waterfalls and all the country style of the hinterland – and to top it all off, dotted throughout this shire, we’ve also got one of the most innovative Creative Industries sectors Australia has to offer.”

“We understand it’s not easy being in the creative industry. Money and time are always an issue – that’s why these council grants support artists of all disciplines to keep going, to increase their skill set and to keep making their mark.

“We know that if artists are supported here in the Surf Coast Shire, we all stand to benefit – creatively, culturally and economically.”

Grants up to $3,000 to support individual professional artists and producers, as well as $5,000 for collectives, are on offer for applicants.

Submissions will close at 5pm on February 28.

The shire will announce successful applications in late March.

The shire is also encouraging First Nations artists, and artists from groups such as LGBTQIA+ and culturally/linguistically diverse communities to apply.

For more information, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/creativegrants