Ground breaking music and theatre shows as well as festivals in regional areas can play a major part in reviving small towns according to event performers and organisers.
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Support for them comes after the latest series of Government grants has extended the life of the popular Lola Montez musical recently performed in Ballarat to new audiences across Victoria.
This grant to Moira Arts and Culture Inc is one of four regional arts councils and groups receiving a funds to a total of $17,000 through Creative Victoria’s Small Regional Presenters program.
The injection of government cash has also had transformative success on a larger scale in central Victoria in the past with projects such as Clunes beloved Booktown Festival.
“We received funding over last three previous years, basically to support the organisation as a developing one. We’ve recently been granted funding for next 4 years as an ongoing established organisation from Creative Victoria. Which means we can relax slightly,” Clunes Booktown chief executive officer Richard Mackay-Scollay said.
“We have ensured continuity and a strong vote of confidence from government.”
He said the grant helped to enable the whole organisation of the festival which began as a hobby when four guys asked what they could do to make the town more sustainable.
”From there it’s progressed to a fully professional, fully organised event which attracts 18000 people,” he said.
The Small Regional Presenters program operates by providing monetary support from Arts Victoria for organisations putting on shows for regional Victorian communities.
“The Small Regional Presenters program has a big impact in regional Victoria, bringing exciting performances to towns across the state,” Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said.
“These grants build the skills of regional arts groups by supporting them to attract and host exciting shows and events.
“From a theatre performance in a sports club, to gigs in a former grain store – we are proud to support our small regional presenters with grants that will make a big difference to their community arts scene.”
Other recipients of this round of grants, which totaled $17,000, are Growing Regional Arts in Nathalia, the Warragul Heritage Preservation Society and the Lyrebird Arts Council, which are all using the money to host significant musical shows for their regions. Applications for the next round of grants close at 5pm on November 15, with funds going toward shows planned from February 1, 2018. On offer are grants from $1000 to $15000 which can be put toward anything from a single show or event to a series or annual program. For more information visit creative.vic.gov.au.