- Minister for Creative Industries
Victorian communities affected by the summer bushfires will be given a boost through Creative Recovery grants as part of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments’ Community Recovery Package.
The $700,000 Creative Recovery program will run in the Alpine, East Gippsland, Indigo, Mansfield, Towong and Wangaratta shires – fostering a series of projects to help communities to reflect, rebuild and recover.
Regional Arts Victoria will deliver the program, in partnership with Bushfire Recovery Victoria, Regional Development Victoria and Creative Victoria.
It will back tourism-boosting projects and events, support creative businesses to bounce back and fund two new on-the-ground roles to support and train local creatives.
Recruitment is under way for two Creative Recovery Officer roles, to be based in East Gippsland and the North East.
The officers will work shoulder-to-shoulder with local creatives and community members to identify potential projects, develop grant applications and build connections to help get projects off the ground.
Later this month, applications will open for the Creative Recovery grants which will support the development of creative projects to assist in the social and economic recovery of impacted communities.
The grants will also offer practical assistance for local creatives including the replacement of lost tools and equipment, payment of rent for workspaces, and professional and business development.
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria will also work with galleries in Wangaratta and East Gippsland to deliver public programs that support recovery.
For full program details, visit Regional Arts Victoria’s website rav.net.au.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Creativity is a powerful tool in recovery – bolstering local economies, boosting jobs and stimulating tourism.”
“It also plays a key role in connecting community members, helping them to heal and chart a path for recovery.”
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“This program will support creative jobs, businesses and events in bushfire-affected regions, while providing many benefits to communities that have faced unprecedented challenges this year.”
As stated by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“We’re supporting businesses in every industry to rebuild – we encourage those affected to apply for both these grants and the $10,000 Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants that have already helped over 1,200 businesses.”
