Funding to elevate Otways artistic company

A BARWON Downs-based artist is one of this year’s successful applicants in the federal government’s highly competitive Regional Arts Fund.

WildHoney Performing Arts co-founder and director Eloise Wood will receive $30,000 for ELEVATE, a new project of hope and connection that aims to engage communities and families across the Colac Otway Shire.

The project will involve large-scale puppetry making, stiltwalking, creative dance and storytelling workshops delivered by WildHoney, which describes itself as a “a small, humming hive of designers, performers and makers based in the Otway Ranges”.

WildHoney has staged productions at several WinterWildFestivals in Apollo Bay, and its mobile acts have performed at festivals including Torquay’s Nightjar and White Night Reimagined in Melbourne.

Regional Arts Victoria is administering the grants locally, and director of partnerships Liz Zito said the projects in this round were of a high quality and offered a wide range of diverse activities.

“Regional Arts Victoria is proud to deliver this Australian Government funding program in Victoria.

“This highly competitive round has seen support for projects including the Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial through to providing masterclasses in electronic sound for young people in Warrnambool, as well as presenting deaf storytellers bringing people into a deaf cultural experience in Wodonga.

“Regional Arts Victoria also wishes to thank the members of the independent assessment panel for their time and commitment in supporting exceptional arts practice in regional Victoria.”

The Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia.

The fund meets the strategic priorities of supporting participation in and access to the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cites and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said the project grants would support sustainable economic, social and cultural development throughout Victoria.

“I congratulate the 10 recipients of the Regional Arts Fund Project Grants in Victoria, who have each demonstrated how their unique projects will raise the profile of regional arts and broaden community engagement with the cultural sector,” he said.

“This investment of $200,000 will support these artists and organisations to develop new networks and diverse works and is part of the Morrison Government’s $3.6 million annual investment in the Regional Arts Fund across Australia.”

For more information about coming funding rounds, head to the Regional Arts Victoria website.