Four local emerging artists have been awarded $2000 each in the 2025 Create Lab small grants program to explore a creative idea with the support of an artist mentor.
A diverse range of projects across a variety of artforms including theatre, design, music and animation are included in the Create Lab program.
Creative City Officer Mandy Field said the focus of the funding was to encourage participating artists to experiment with ideas, develop their skills and capacity to work creatively.
"It has been wonderful to support these innovative ideas from emerging artists who are exploring their unique ways of making and working creatively," Ms Field said.
"Artists have met with their mentors over a six-week period to gain insight into creative possibilities, explore new and different ways of working and methodologies.
"Participating artists have had time to develop ideas, receive feedback and advice, get their project documented and present their works in progress, all important stages in the creative process."
Funded projects include:
- The creative development of a solo version of MacBeth by local emerging actor and theatre maker Kody Austin, involving one actor and a bucket of fake blood
- A stop motion animation based on an original script and intricate set pieces that will be manipulated and captured frame by frame by animator Zak Westcott
- A series of show posters with original designs by Gemma Fitzgerald in conjunction with the Bendigo Pride Festival
- A video clip for a new single by Mannix Harrington and band Sugargum
The community is invited to attend a showcase of works in progress which will take place at 5pm on Friday March 28 at the Engine Room, 58 View Street.
