Love Your Local creatives – new fund to support arts sector to recover

The City of Greater Bendigo has launched a new Creative Recovery Activation Fund and is calling for innovative ideas from local creative businesses and artists to activate public spaces.

This is an opportunity for the local arts and creative industry to maintain and grow its skills, while supporting Greater Bendigo’s many talented creatives who have been unable to work due to cancelled events and the closure of venues.

Businesses and individuals are invited to submit an expression of interest application outlining how their idea will activate public spaces. Grants of up to $3,000 will be available.

Projects could include visual and performing arts, pop-up concerts, digital and screen-based media, light projections, writing and publishing or poetry readings, broadcasting, temporary art installations, textiles or fashion, provided the idea is inclusive, supports economic recovery and can be delivered in line with COVID-19 restrictions.

City Director Strategy and Growth Bernie O’Sullivan said the fund provided a pathway to recovery for local artists.

“We’re really looking forward to hearing from our creative community and seeing some exciting and engaging ideas rolled out that celebrate the skills of our many talented local artists and also safely activate our public spaces,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Creatives will need to provide a resume of previous work, a summary of their idea, identify their preferred location/s and timeframe for activities, and provide a quote allocating how they would spend up to $3,000.

“By activating public space, we also hope to see surrounding businesses benefit from the increased foot traffic.”

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