A diverse range of creative arts and cultural projects will be rolled out over the next 12 months after sharing in a total of $23,273 allocated under Council’s Arts and Cultural Grants Program for 2022-23
Offered annually to eligible groups and artists, the Arts and Cultural Grants enable artists and not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver arts and cultural activities that reflect the diversity of the Maroondah community.
The funding can be used for a wide range of projects including creative development and presentation; arts and cultural programs; and the activation of new arts and cultural spaces.
Maroondah Mayor and Chair of the Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee, Cr Mike Symon said Council had once again received applications for projects of a high standard.
“The Arts and Cultural Grants support a diverse and culturally rich Maroondah through community-driven initiatives, projects and events that strengthen the identity and profile of the arts in Maroondah, and we are delighted with the range of projects submitted by the applicants in this round of funding,” he said.
An art sculpture to be designed in partnership with the community and installed within the gardens at Yarrunga Community Centre is one of seven projects to receive funding.
The sculpture will be created out of reclaimed steel by artist Tim Read, in what will be a unique piece that reflects and celebrates Yarrunga’s 25 years of service to the community.
Yarrunga Community Centre Manager Samantha Blackwell said the collaborative community art project was made possible through the Arts and Cultural Grant.
“Without the funds, this opportunity would not exist. This project allows us to expand our works and programs that incorporate art as the core focus. We are very proud and excited to be working on the project,” she said.
The collaboration will involve a series of workshops with the artist, community surveys and a design competition, with the chosen design to incorporate the predominant themes and feedback.
Yarrunga Community Centre is a registered charity that offers health and wellbeing programs, social groups, adult education and community information located in Croydon Hills. The community centre opened its doors in November 1996, with ‘Yarrunga’ derived from the Aboriginal word meaning “beneath tall trees”.
Other successful initiatives and projects to receive funding include: ‘Maroondah Jazz’ – two free events to be held at Ringwood Town Square and Wyreena featuring both professional and youth bands covering different styles of jazz; and ‘Blossoms of Life: The Eucalyptus Flower for Everyone’ – a public art project incorporating the talents of visual artist Hsin Lin and poet Lauren Hancock to be installed as a vinyl wrap on a public toilet block at Ringwood Lake Park.
Also, YourDNA Creative Arts will work with students considered to have disabilities and artists in Maroondah to develop and create a musical instrument that will allow them to share and explore sounds, skills and stories as part of ‘The Sound Tree’ project.
“I would like to congratulate all of the groups who were successful in securing funding. These range from public art initiatives in our arts precinct to activities that focus on building understanding and awareness of culturally diverse and isolated groups,” Cr Symon said.
“The involvement of highly skilled artists and cultural leaders in these projects is key to their success. We wish all of the recipients the very best with their upcoming projects and look forward to the impact that this will have across Maroondah,” he said.
The Arts and Cultural Grants Program is a category of Council’s Community Grants Funding Program and aims to deliver community-driven projects, initiatives and events that increase the city’s arts profile and participation within the arts.
View the full list of Arts and Cultural Grants Program recipients
Applications for the next round of Arts and Cultural Grants will open in March 2023.
