By Jessica Anstice
Those working in the creative arts industry have been presented with the opportunity to apply for a share in state-wide grants totalling $2.4 million.
Sustaining Creative Workers provides quick response grants to support the work of professional creatives across all fields – from filmmakers, game developers and fashion designers to writers, visual artists, musicians, performers and many others.
Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale welcomed the first tranche of the program on Friday 19 June.
“Over the past few months, while we have stayed home, the creative sector has played a vital role in entertaining us, inspiring us and keeping us connected,” she said.
“However, the sector has been hit hard by event cancellations and venue closures. Even as restrictions slowly begin to ease, these workers and businesses will continue to be impacted for some time.
“The Sustaining Creative Workers grants will help them adapt to these new circumstances, develop new sources of income or new ways to reach audiences, and keep working, building and future-proofing their business or career.”
The creative industries employ 280,000 people in the state and have been among the hardest hit sectors, with venue closures, screen industry shutdowns and event cancellations leaving thousands of creative practitioners and associated trades out of work and leading to millions in lost revenue.
In the Bass electorate, which includes Kooweerup, Lang Lang and parts of Pakenham, three recipients received a combined total of $15,000 for various projects.
The grants program was delivered in partnership with Regional Arts Victoria and Arts Access Victoria.
