Local halls, community centres, and even a light station will be the stage for music and theatre performances as part of the latest round of the Andrews Labor Government’s Small Regional Presenters grants program.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley today announced more than $60,000 to help some of Victoria’s smallest communities bring exciting comedy, music and theatre events to their areas.
The Small Regional Presenters program was created to increase the quality and variety of cultural events and activities in small regional towns, and to give local creative groups the chance to program shows that resonate with local audiences.
Highlights from this year’s grant recipients include a concert and masterclass by renowned pianist Roman Rudnytsky in Cororooke, a performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Otway Fly in Cape Otway and support to attract a drawcard headline act to the 2019 Macedon Ranges Music Festival in New Gisborne.
Since the Small Regional Presenters program started, it has supported more than 230 shows that have been seen by more than 14,000 people across some of Victoria’s smallest towns including Bena, Mt Beauty and Meeniyan.
The program is open to regional arts presenters, including not-for-profit groups and societies, venues and local councils.
Unlike a traditional touring model, which supports artists to take their work on the road, the Small Regional Presenters program supports venues or presenters who are ‘on the ground’ to attract shows to their area.
Grants of between $1,500 to $15,000 are available to support the presentation of a single show or live event, a series of shows or an annual program.
Applications are invited from regionally based arts presenters, including not-for-profit arts groups and societies, venues and local councils.
To find out more about the program, visit creative.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
"Victoria is the creative state and the Small Regional Presenters program helps all Victorians, no matter where they live, get the best creative experiences and unlock their own creativity."
"This round will bring an exciting range of performances and workshops to regional communities and will ensure that right across our state – an incredible creative experience is never far away."
