- Minister for Creative Industries
Victorian First Peoples working across our creative industries are invited to apply for a ground-breaking program that plots a new path for investment in First Peoples creativity.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley today announced the new First Peoples Investment Program which will provide grants for creative, skills and cultural development projects and put Traditional Owners and First Peoples at the heart of decision-making.
Open to all First Peoples of Australia who live in Victoria and organisations that represent them, the program has been developed in consultation with community members and will offer three grant categories to help build skills and cultural knowledge and create new work.
Funding of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for groups or organisations is available for activities including mentorships and attending conferences. Creative practitioners may also undertake projects that involve living on country and learning from elders and traditional owners.
To support the next generation of First Peoples creative talent, first-time applicants can submit for grants of up to $20,000 to develop new creative products or artwork.
Cultural respect is a key protocol for the program and applicants can choose to be matched with a mentor to guide them through the grants process. Each application will be assessed by a panel of traditional owners of Victoria and First Peoples who are creative industry experts.
The program will run as a pilot in 2019 and is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s First Peoples Action Plan for Creative Industries 2018-2020, developed in collaboration with the First Peoples community to increase opportunities in the creative industries and raise the profile of First Peoples’ culture and creativity.
Applications to the First Peoples Investment Program are now open. For full program guidelines and further information, visit creative.vic.gov.au/firstpeoples.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“For tens of thousands of years, creativity and cultural expression have been an intrinsic part of life for the First Peoples of this land – yet for too long they have been under-represented in our creative industries.”
“This program is the result of extensive consultation about what needs to change to remove barriers, support career pathways and make our creative sector more inclusive and supportive of First Peoples.”
As noted by First Peoples Investment Program manager Kylie Belling
“It’s exciting to have a program that is self-determining, in response to the voice of First Peoples communities. If you’ve got a project in mind, I encourage you to get in touch and find out more about how this program can support your work or your career.”
