DEVELOP grant recipients announced

Surf Coast musician Leah Senior has received funding for a new music video. Photo: WILD ROSE PICTURES

THE Surf Coast Shire’s redesigned Artist and Creatives Grants Program has hit the mark in its second year, attracting a 300 per cent increase in applications.

Aimed at promoting original and expansive thinking for artists to take up their creative aspirations with financial support, the DEVELOP grants received almost $100,000 in requests across 27 separate applications.

Eight projects were ultimately chosen:

No Through Road Collective – Dr Jenny Murray-Jones, Dr Jane Bartier and Sylvia Maseyk (Winchelsea)

Time and Memory project development (slab roller) – Fiona McDonald (Torquay)

Culture and Belonging photographic exploration – Daniela Rodriguez (Torquay)

“My Winch” Exhibition Winchelsea Shire Hall – Samantha Whitaker and the James St Gallery Artists (Winchelsea)

Experimental Music Video – Leah Senior (Anglesea)

Artist Residency Victorian High Country to work on Middle Grade environmental issues novel – Stef Gemmill (Torquay)

Textiles 1: Our Journey to the Surface Visual Arts Exploration and Exhibition – Simon Holloway (Lorne), and

Elements sound compositions production – Stephen Oakes, Barry Gilson and Melinda Kennedy (Torquay).

Cr Gary Allen said this round’s grants entries were extraordinary.

“Every one of the 27 applications was exemplary, giving the council direct insight into the wealth of incredible ideas and talents that exist right across our region.

“We were amazed by the quality of proposals, the breadth of mediums and ideas, and the professionalism that applicants demonstrated.”

He said the shire recognised creative output did not occur without considerable time, research, development and effort.

“In the wake of COVID it became clear that we needed to help lessen income stress for creatives if we wanted to help them develop their best research and ideas.

“We wanted to help Surf Coast creatives ‘buy time’ – and every one of this year’s applications spoke to how much artists and creatives appreciated that.”

Applications for the third round of the DEVELOP grants will reopen in February 2024.