Victorians can expect an impressive season of art, music and entertainment this summer and beyond to reactivate our statewide creative industries and bring experiences outdoors.
The Victorian Government has announced a $17.2 million package which will enable Victorians to reconnect with cultural experiences in new and unique ways, while creating jobs for thousands of Victorians across the creative and event industries.
Included in the package is $7.9 million to enable our state-owned creative agencies 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 COVIDsafe venue which will host the 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. The Geelong Arts Centre will team with Deakin University to present a month-long summer season of events under a big top.
Almost $4.3 million will enable 16 Victorian arts festivals and organisations to present summer and autumn programs outdoors, including Midsumma, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Shepparton Arts Festival, Creative Clunes and more. 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.
All activities and events will be presented in accordance with public health requirements and will build on the activities, exhibitions and events that will take place inside venues. Victoria’s public institutions will also continue to present a diverse program of creative experiences for all ages online.