“Independent arts organisations are a driving force of our creative industries,” said Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley. “They have incredible reach and impact, providing creative opportunities across the state and showcasing Victorian talent around the globe.”
Festivals with a regional reach were high on the list. They were Melbourne Festival ($25.2m), Melbourne International Comedy ($6.8m), Next Wave ($1.7), Melbourne International Jazz ($1.6m), Melbourne Fringe ($1.4m), Castlemaine State ($732,400), Wangaratta Festival of Jazz ($475,020) and Arts Mildura ($473,760), while getting $300,000 each were Midsumma, Port Fairy Spring Music, Horsham’s Art Is, Baluk Arts Mornington and Shepparton Arts.
Other recipients included Regional Arts Victoria ($3m for creative programs, touring, education and resources), Multicultural Arts Victoria ($1.3m to support creatives from diverse backgrounds), Arts Access Victoria ($1.3m to deliver programs for creators and audiences with disabilities), Footscray Community Arts Centre ($924,000 for programs for the west), The Black Arm Band ($336,000), Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation ($336,000 to develop skills and provide opportunities), Newport’s Substation ($300,000), Speak Percussion ($294,000 to presents arts events focused on percussion), Community Music Victoria ($252,000 to develop music making and choir development), Wantok Musik ($240,000 to record and release music from Indigenous Australia and Melanesia), Liquid Architecture Sound ($240,000 to present sound arts and experimental music) and VAPAC ($240,000 the membership based organisation for professionally managed venues delivering performing arts programs).
The state government last week also announced it is building a new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in the Southbank cultural precinct. The current one, in Parkville, will open to students in 2019. It will be located on 33 Sturt Street next to the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Southbank Campus of the VCA and MCM. It will include a 400-seat auditorium that will be available for use by arts organisations.
The Labor Government is contributing the land under a long-term lease arrangement with the University of Melbourne, as well as $3 million. The $105.5 million development is expected to generate $350 million for the state and create more than 2,000 jobs during construction. The project is supported by major philanthropic partners.
Minister for Creative Industries and Member for Albert Park Martin Foley said “Victoria is home to the most vibrant independent arts sector – a creative powerhouse and significant source of employment in the arts.
“We are backing our creative talent all of the way – from creative opportunities for school kids to the best tertiary training and the best infrastructure to support our vital independent arts sector.”
