By BEN CAMERON
CARDINIA Shire Council will spend around $80,000 on two new art initiatives.
It has budgeted about $40,000 including consultancy fees to develop a new arts and cultural study which aims to develop new local arts facilities to replace “increasingly unsuitable spaces”.
Council manager Sustainable Communities Jim Davine said a resulting report would be used to build a business case to advocate for shared costs of developing facilities and be presented to both levels of government.
Council sought community input through an online survey and two community forums earlier this month.
Mr Davine said dedicated and appropriate art facilities had been on the agenda for many local artists, groups and council’s Arts and Culture Reference Group for several years.
Mayor Graeme Moore said with almost half of all Cardinia residents – more than the state average – taking part in creative activities, they deserved a dedicated space.
“This study will assist in future planning, and I encourage any resident with an interest in creative activities in the shire to have their say,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kooweerup residents and business owners will combine with talented local artists for a $40,000 Cardinia Shire Council artwork project to be unveiled next year.
A concept for the artwork will be developed via community workshops and other consultation sessions with a public art committee to select one artist to produce the nominated artwork.
Mayor Graeme Moore said council wanted the artwork to reflect the community’s thoughts, impressions and feelings about the town as well as its landscape, culture, history and identity.
“The local community will play a huge part in helping create a striking artistic feature of which Kooweerup can be really proud,” he said.
For more information on the study contact council’s Cultural Development officer on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
Kooweerup residents and businesses can register their interest in participating in or hearing more about the Koo Wee Rup public art project by contacting council’s Arts and Cultural Development officer on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
