Surf Coast artists land grants

Casey Hartnett in his studio.

SURF Coast artists have received much-needed help through the state government Supporting Creative Workers grants.

The grants aim to provide targeted quick assistance to help creatives adapt to the new environment.

Winchelsea musician, composer and sound designer Casey Hartnett was one of the most recent grant recipients.

Mr Hartnett started Natural Progression Studios in 2018 with fellow musicians Corin Ileto and Becky Freeman.

Before the coronavirus, the trio created music and sound design for three major exhibitions at Art Gallery of New South Wales, and an exhibition at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum. As part of the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival, they also were part of a rescore for a special screening of the film Drive.

The $5,000 grant Mr Hartnett received will now help him release a selection of music from these projects online, as well as helping him and Natural Progression Studios build their online presence.

Mr Hartnett said this presented them with a great opportunity to make something out of difficult circumstances.

“We’ve talked about doing it for a couple of years, really, since we’ve started getting a lot of this work, but we’ve all got our own practices outside of this operation. So, time was something we didn’t have a lot of as well as not having the funds to do it to the professional level we wanted,.

“With this COVID situation I’ve lost a lot of work and so I’ve got time, and so it was just a financial thing to get the backing.”

The music the group has created will now be mastered for digital release.

The first of their music from these projects will be released before the end of the year at naturalprogressionstudios.com.

Anglesea artist Caroline Hawkins also received $2,600 to create videos of her ephemeral artwork, while Anglesea Arts House received $10,000 to develop digital content to showcase artists.

Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the grants would also have lasting benefits for their recipients.

“I’m pleased to announce these grants which will keep local creatives working through this tough period of restrictions, allowing them to future-proof their businesses and weather the storm.”