SOUTH-WEST creative arts projects have received a welcome funding boost after a tough year for the industry.
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Warrnambool musician Tom Richardson, founder of the Find Your Voice Choir, has welcomed $7830 to develop a music mentorship program for young people in the region.
"I've been lucky enough to score some funding," he said.
"Regional Arts Victoria has saved the day for many artists during COVID in this area.
"They supported me a lot in the Find Your Voice choir and that's what this funding is for.
"Through choir, we are really starting to develop individuals to build their skill-sets which will lead to a job in the creative arts industry.
"There's lots of other amazing organisations who assist with pathways into the workforce but not so much into the creative arts.
"This pilot program is to support people on a one-on-one basis to gain long-term employment in creative arts.
"It's super cool and we've done a lot of work to get it ready to go."
The mentorship will involve young, upcoming musician, Lewis Stone, who identifies with a disability.
Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in Heywood received $30,000 for an arts program renewal at Brambuk.
Brambuk, The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, celebrates and interprets the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples of Gariwerd (Grampians).
The project will involve Traditional Owner artists trialling a series of musical performances and arts workshops at Brambuk, which could then be included in Brambuk's ongoing cultural program.
Due to COVID-19, Brambuk will have to pivot its visitor offering to focus on domestic markets as international markets are unlikely to fully recover before 2023.
The cultural activities will involve contemporary interpretations of cultural traditions, with artists telling their own stories through music and visual arts.
Glenelg Shire Council received $30,000 for 'A Digital Adaptation of Performance and Theatre Development' (A.D.A.P.T.D).
A.D.A.P.T.D. is a collaboration between Portland Arts Centre and theatre company Lab Kelpie to deliver an innovative series of three performances and three training opportunities over six months for the Glenelg Shire community.
Each activity will be adaptive, and together will form a tailored journey of applied skill development for participants, and a flexible, COVID-safe pathway from digital to live engagement for the audience.
The project anticipates a different future and tests new ways of working with the community, particularly Seniors and LGBTQIA+ youth, to find their voices, tell their stories, and empower the creation of a local youth theatre group.
The Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost is a $10 million targeted measure announced by the Australian Government in 2020 as part of the Relief and Recovery Fund.
It responds to the difficulties experienced by regional artists, arts organisations and communities who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19.
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