Saskwatch/Terrific Industries received $21,000 to record a new album, while also receiving funding towards making their next albums were The Getaway Plan ($13,168), singer songwriter Fraser A Gorman ($10,000), refugee hip hop act FLYBZ, for new work featuring Paul Kelly and Ella Hooper ($10,000), pop and country singer Alex Lashlie ($10,000).
Also on the list were Geoffrey O’Connor for an album of duets with Victorian singers ($8,350), folk acts Sweet Jean ($7,500) and Tinpan Orange ($7,500) and hip hop electronic duo Milwaukee Banks ($5,038).
The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative got $30,000 for its 2015 concert series programs. Big West Festival in Footscray received $12,400 for theatre work exploring the experience of Ethiopian youth.
The youth orientated The Push got $10,000 to market the Tuesday Night Song Club live series. The Bonnie Doon Music and Busker Festival collected $5,000 towards its production.
Two special hip hop projects also got funding. Phunktional was funded $26,000 to develop and present a community-based hip-hop dance and music project that explores themes of immigration and female empowerment.
The other obtained $15,000 for a community based collaborative performance that explores the history of Melbourne’s west incorporating urban artforms including hip-hop, breakdancing and street art.
Altogether 88 grants worth a total of $1.4 million were announced this morning by the Victorian State Government.
They covered contemporary dance, an indigenous literature festival, classical concerts, 3D artwork, documentaries novels, artworks, comics and a project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
“These projects serve as yet another illustration of Victoria’s national arts leadership,” Arts Minister Heidi Victoria said.
