Geelong Arts Centre delivers boost to local creatives through $16,000 in grant funding

Geelong Arts Centre has announced a package of grants through its Creative Engine program to benefit artists and creatives working in the G21 region.

Totalling $16,000 in financial grants and in-kind occupancies within the centre’s landmark Ryrie Street building, the eight available grant packages will directly benefit individuals and organisation who demonstrate the desire and ability to drive bold and exciting contemporary arts practice and performance.

Available packages include:

• 2 x Ignition: $5,000 plus occupancy, marketing and professional development support
• 2 x Live and Local: $2,000 plus occupancy, broadcast infrastructure and marketing support
• 2 x Jump Start: $1,000 plus occupancy support
• 2 x Place to Make: In-kind occupancy support

Grant applications will open from 9am Monday 17 August and will close at 5pm, Sunday 30 August. Applications must demonstrate the ability to meet the program’s three selection criteria – connection, innovation and thoughtfulness – to be successful. The selected successful projects will be notified on Friday 11 September.

We’re looking to the future and for works that demonstrate a connection to the region, are innovative by design and thoughtfully participate in the national arts conversation, said Geelong Arts Centre CEO Joel McGuinness

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine, a co-working space and eponymous arts development program, was announced in October 2019 with a primary directive to support individuals and artistic collectives and build sustainable arts practices within regional Victoria.

In addition to value-in-kind occupancies and grants funding, Creative Engine provides access to workshops, masterclasses, industry networking and creative boot camps for the creative community of Geelong.

Creative Engine will offer two grant and support opportunity rounds per year to invest in emerging works. The initiative supports Geelong Arts Centre’s strategic vision to become ‘The Creative Heart of Geelong: an artery between creative industries and community to global thinking and extraordinary experiences.’ 

We’re excited, not only to be able to announce new funding opportunities for our arts community, but also to celebrate some incredible works that are currently in development.

The calibre of these works has been outstanding, as has been our collaborators’ ability to adapt their practice within the current climate and forge new pathways in times of uncertainty, said Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer, Penny McCabe

The program has already supported a number of new works by local producers including contemporary dance company Blink Dance Theatre, playwright Ross Mueller and theatre-makers Essential Theatre.

We are incredibly grateful to have this support. In practical terms, it has enabled access to world class rehearsal and performance spaces and specialist equipment, however the real highlight has been the full commitment of the Geelong Arts Centre team, to work with us as partners, to support and nurture artistic conversations and ideas. To value the contribution of local artists and how important they are in enriching the creative ecology, said Blink Dance Theatre Artistic Director, Lyndel Quick

To learn more about the Creative Engine program and current opportunities, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine