By Parker McKenzie
Creative professionals throughout the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges can apply for the latest round of the Creators Fund, the Victorian Government’s creative research and development program.
The fund supports professionals in undertaking intensive research, development or experimentation for creative works with grants of between $20,000 and $50,000.
Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said in a statement she was encouraging artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, writers and other creatives in the hills to apply.
“In any industry, innovation requires dedicated time for research, experimentation and development. Devoting time to this unpaid but vital work can be a challenge for many independent creatives in the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.
“The Creators Fund is an important pillar of the Victorian Government’s investment in the creative industries, backing our creative innovators to break new ground and level up their careers.”
The fund was launched in 2018 and supports activities for up to six months. It has supported almost 160 Victorians statewide, working in a variety of fields.
The Hills Arts Alliance’s Noelene Blair said funding through grants programs is essential for artists throughout the Dandenong Ranges.
“Most of the creative I know are not working in the industry, they are working in hospitality, retail, cleaning jobs and all sorts of things,” she said.
“There are very few that can make a living out of their creative pursuits and grants like this allow them the space to work on their practice.”
Previous projects funded through the program include the design of a new bed for palliative care use, funding for a screenwriter to develop a method of narrative design in video games and the development of a children’s poetry collection.
Ms Blair said it is positive that the Victorian government is making the grants available.
“Hopefully there are artists out there with an idea ready to go that they can just plug into this grant application because to think up a new idea and get the support you need to apply in a month isn’t really long enough,” she said.
“I’d love to see the local government putting more money into the arts because the Dandenong Ranges is such a creative area.”
Applications for the 2023 round of the Creators Fund close at 3pm Wednesday 22 February or 3pm Wednesday 1 March for the Deaf and Disabled Stream.
More information on the program can be found at creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/find-a-funding-opportunity/creators-fund
