The McGowan Government’s Arts 15k-plus grant program has provided a boost to the arts sector of $745,562, supporting 16 new projects.
The projects span various artforms including dance, circus, writing and visual arts – with the Arts 15k-plus program allowing artists to work on larger projects.
The Arts 15k-plus runs alongside the Arts U-15k (under $15,000) program, which supports smaller opportunities and projects.
The program invested $3.2 million last financial year, and with this additional investment it is supporting the growth of a vibrant Western Australian arts and creative industries sector.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“I am delighted to see such a diverse range of exciting new projects being supported by the Arts 15-k plus funding.
“The arts sector has seen such a raft of challenges over the past few years, and these grants programs are so important in supporting local artists.
“We know the impact that arts and culture have through increasing connection in communities, and I encourage people to get involved and see the outcomes of these projects where they can.”
Arts 15k-plus recipients – Round 3, 2021-22:
WA Circus School Incorporated (FREMANTLE) – $60,000
The youth troupe performers will complete a disabilities engagement production and begin a new creative development, in partnership with MAXIMA and the National Institute of Circus Arts at the South Australian Circus Centre.
Seesaw Magazine Incorporated (WEST PERTH) – $44,863
Two arts writer mentoring projects that will build First Nations and regional capacity in arts journalism: First Nations visual arts writers and regionally-based arts writers.
STRUT Dance Incorporated (PERTH) – $59,653
A contemporary dance program that will support artist-led research, innovation and play with a choreographic residency, mid-career choreographic lab and practice sharing.
Performing Lines Limited – WA (PERTH) – $60,000
The final rehearsal and presentation of a new dance work by Laura Boynes, that uses a real-time choreographic process. The work will premiere at Perth Festival in March 2023.
David Whish-Wilson (SOUTH FREMANTLE) – $30,844
To write the first draft of a literary non-fiction manuscript full-time over eight months. This will be the applicant’s thirteenth book and will be submitted for publishing to Fremantle Press.
Upswell Publishing Pty Ltd (PERTH) – $59,320
To publish ten new books including fiction, narrative non-fiction and poetry by writers from Western Australia and beyond.
Fremantle Biennale (FREMANTLE) – $60,000
The Fremantle Biennale will commission ambitious contemporary site-specific artworks from artists forging new ground for SIGNALS 2023.
Andrea Fernandez (ARMADALE) – $58,900
To undertake creative developments of Bollywood Dreaming: a musical theatre, production including script refinement, musical arrangements and set and costume design.
Goolarri Media Enterprises Pty Ltd (BROOME) – $56,010
A series of writing workshops to nurture writers in dramaturgy and mentoring. It will also cover creative developments, exploring methods of devising work on the floor and improvisation.
Erin Lockyer (INGLEWOOD) – $59,971
To undertake creative developments of a theatre production – Logue Lake – including refining technical and design aspects of the production and test-run performances.
Southern Edge Arts Incorporated (ALBANY) – $39,825
A community arts and cultural development project consisting of workshops in the Great Southern region and a one-week exhibition – My Money Matters – at Vancouver Arts Centre.
E McCarthy & RE Potter (WHITE GUM VALLEY) – $23,623
Visual arts exhibition held at the Holmes à Court Gallery featuring new drawings by Western Australian artists.
Investing in Our Youth Inc (BUNBURY) – $24,710
Noongar artists will work with Carey Park Primary School students, Noongar Elders and support staff to create murals that tell the story of the Wardandi seasons which will also be incorporated into a bilingual picture book.
Jack Ball (HIGHGATE) – $23,191
The creation of a playful, intimate and abstract collage photobook informed by trans visual histories.
un Projects Inc (NORTH FITZROY) – $51,939
Melbourne based un Projects will commission and publish writing on Australian art from a Western Australian perspective.
Timothy Meakins (INGLEWOOD) – $32,713
The creation and exhibition of new video, animation and digital three-dimensional rendered artworks that explore the relationship between sports and community, and the role that sport culture plays in our lives.
