He was announcing the next round of Creative Victoria’s Organisations Investment Program, covering 2017 to 2020. It opens in March, more details at creative.vic.gov.au/organisations.
Minister Foley said, “Independent arts organisations are at the heart of Victoria’s thriving arts and cultural sector and our reputation as a creative state. They provide important employment opportunities for artists and other industry professionals, and a wide range of cultural and creative experiences for Victorians.”
The Organisations Investment Program was introduced by the former Liberal government in 2013, providing $26 million a year to 88 not-for-profit groups.
But Creative Victoria has instituted some changes to protect arts and cultural groups affected by Federal arts funding cuts.
The minimum threshold for grants will rise, from $40,000 to $60,000.
Previously, funding terms for small to medium organisations was three years, and six for larger ones. In the latest move, the period is standardised to four years.
The idea behind the funding, from $60,000 per year, is for the organisations to build their business capacity and enable them to deliver high quality programs.
Minister Foley explained, “The funding aims to provide a stable base from which Victorian organisations can plan, create and present work, take risks, leverage support from other sources, generate income and, ultimately, make an economic, social and cultural contribution to their community and the state.”
But Creative Victoria has stressed, “It is a highly competitive program, and applicants need to demonstrate a significant track record in the delivery of programs and services that are of critical value to Victoria’s creative and cultural industries, as well as a commitment to grow, renew or sustain their operational capacity.”
