The Victorian Government will help bring community spaces to life with ambitious new creative projects, providing new tourism drawcards through sculptures, murals and interactive art.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson today opened applications for the latest round of the Creative Activation Fund grants, which offers grants of between $40,000 and $300,000 to develop new artistic attractions across Victoria.
The fund invites artists, communities and organisations to transform local buildings and spaces, celebrating local culture in new and creative ways. This could include large-scale murals, sculptures, digital activations or public art that breathes new life into locations identified for revitalisation.
Past grant recipients have included silo art projects in St Arnaud and Picola, open-air murals in Wedderburn and an augmented reality tour exploring sites of cultural and historical significance to First Peoples in Fitzroy.
Another previously funded project, Djaara Lights, will soon transform Bendigo’s Telstra Exchange building and neighbouring Bendigo Creek with a spectacular night-time display of neon artworks, street art and digital experiences telling stories from Dja Dja Wurrung People. The project will be launched on 6 November.
Bushfire-affected local government areas of East Gippsland, Towong and Alpine will be prioritised in this latest round of funding, acknowledging the impact that fires and the pandemic have had on local tourism.
Priority will also be given to projects that are led by Victorian First Peoples creative practitioners or organisations.
Applications open today and close at 3:00pm on Thursday, 2 December 2021. For further information visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson
“These grants are all about showcasing our local creativity, stories and culture in exciting ways that will help attract visitors to local communities.”
“As we rebuild our tourist economy across the state, unique creative attractions and experiences will play an important role in encouraging people to hit the road and explore the best Victoria has to offer.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
“Our state’s artistic destinations have long been a drawcard for visitors to regional Victoria. These grants will enable local artists and businesses to offer more iconic attractions, delivering ongoing benefits to communities across Victoria.”
May 16, 2022 - Parliament
I discussed my concerns about some of the grubby politics that our local Liberal Parliamentarians have engaged in over the course of the Federal Campaign in this weeks Members Statement.
April 14, 2022 - Parliament
I was going to begin with a text for today, but I really cannot let the member for Gembrook get too far away there. I just want to talk about elephants briefly—it is the concept of the elephant in the room. When I hear this...
April 4, 2022 - Parliament
Watch my speech on the Gambling and Liquor Legislation Amendment Bill below.
March 18, 2022 - Parliament
As a former officer in the RAAF, I was especially delighted to be given the honour of representing the government at the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. It was a timely reminder that many Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our...
March 7, 2022 - Parliament
November 29, 2021 - Parliament
Adapted from John Kennedy’s Speech to the Legislative Assembly on 17 November 2021 The Attorney-General’s question and answer document states: ‘We will better balance the right to equality with the right to religious freedom, ensuring protection and promotion of both rights.’ There are colleagues better...
November 1, 2021 - Parliament
Last week, the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 passed in the Assembly after being the source of both public and parliamentary debate. Personally, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better contribution about both the bill and the nature...
October 18, 2021 - Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (13:39): During 2019—near the end of 2019—the Minister for Education invited me to a busman’s holiday, and basically the busman’s holiday was to chair the reference group in respect of the review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling....
August 6, 2021 - News, Parliament
Member’s Statement, given on the 5th of July, 2021. This week is Homelessness Week. I find it astonishing that in an affluent country such as ours over 116 000 people experience homelessness on any given night. Research has shown that secure and affordable housing is...
August 3, 2021 - Parliament
My question is for the Minister for Education and is regarding the proposed VCAL reforms. The integration of VCAL into the VCE follows a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth. I was pleased to chair the expert reference group for...