The targeted package aims to help Victoria’s cultural institutions host outdoor experiences on a scale we’ve never seen before.
The week is off to a great start for Victorians. The sun is beaming, restrictions are easing and we’ve just been delivered a raft of good news about our upcoming summer season from the Victorian government.
Aiming to reactivate the creative state with an impressive season of art, music and entertainment this summer, Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson has announced a $17.2 million package “which will enable Victorians to reconnect with the cultural experiences they love in new and unique ways outdoors, while creating jobs for thousands of Victorians across the creative and event industries”.
Almost $8 million will go to Victoria’s public cultural institutions including Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Museums Victoria, NGV, State Library Victoria, Melbourne Recital Centre, ACMI and Federation Square to bring their experiences outdoors on a scale we’ve never seen before.
Arts Centre Melbourne will transform the Sidney Myer Music Bowl into a COVID-safe venue to host a Live at the Bowl summer festival – to run from January to March – featuring more than 40 performances. It is expected to create close to 2,000 job opportunities in the creative and event industries.
Museums Victoria will present the Melbourne Museum Summer Plaza series, offering a range of open-air experiences, including performances, movies curated by IMAX Melbourne, food and beverage offerings and entertaining programs for all ages.
Coinciding with the free NGV Triennial exhibition of contemporary art and design, the NGV Garden will take centre stage from December to April for a long summer of relaxed dining and music. NGV Triennial EXTRA festival also returns for weeks of late nights in January and February with free performances, dance and community programs.
State Library Victoria, Melbourne Recital Centre, ACMI and Federation Square will activate their outdoor spaces with creative experiences ranging from live music to storytelling.
For regional Victoria, Geelong will see the Geelong Arts Centre team with Deakin University to present a month-long summer season of events under a big top. Coined the Summer Sessions, the event will include a range of dazzling performances and creative, educational activities outdoors and in the recently redeveloped Ryrie Street building.
$4.3 million will also enable 16 leading Victorian arts companies and festivals to present summer and autumn programs outdoors, including Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Midsumma, Shepparton Arts Festival and Creative Clunes.
A further $5 million will deliver a new series of live music events across regional and peri-urban communities to bring Victorians back together and help our music industry and its thousands of businesses and workers get back on their feet.
“This extensive program will showcase Victoria’s incredible creative talent, deliver thousands of jobs and reinvigorate our creative, hospitality and events sectors,” said Creative Industries Minister, Danny Pearson.
“It will be a celebration of all we’ve achieved together to get through this year, and will bring people back to the experiences we love in new, exciting and COVIDsafe ways.”
All activities and events will be presented in accordance with public health requirements and institutions will continue to present a diverse program of virtual creative experiences.
Find out more here.
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