Big news for small organisations, micro-businesses and collectives across the state – the latest round of the Creative Ventures Program will deliver $3.7 million in funding over the next two years.
Twenty creative ventures will share in the multi-year investment which will support the development and presentation of new creative work, help them to build sustainable business practices and back new ways of working, all while increasing the volume and breadth of creative experiences for Victorians to enjoy.
The funded creative ventures span a range of disciplines, from digital games to dance, performance to puppetry, classical music, fashion, art, publishing and more, and are expected to provide more than 1,500 employment opportunities across Victoria’s creative sector.
Shining a light on the extraordinary work of Victoria’s independent game developers, Freeplay will receive support to present its annual festival; while street dance organisation Cypher Culture will to develop a new organisational model and present two years of programming.
Pairing dynamic performance with community participation, All The Queens Men will receive funding to develop and deliver exciting projects in collaboration with children and young people, older people and LGBTIQ+ communities.
First Peoples businesses and organisations feature strongly, with acclaimed clothing label Ngali among the seven to receive support. Ngali will be supported to expand their reach to overseas markets, following a string of accolades for the label including taking the top prize of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards for the past two years.
This round will also see Victoria’s fashion industry welcome a new brand, with support for designers Blake Malcolm Barns and Jessie Kiely to develop and showcase their debut collection under the label SILVER.
Disability-led performance company Weave Movement Theatre will undertake two major creative development projects, and Loom Arts and Management will develop its talent agency which specialises in the holistic support and advocacy of Deaf and Disabled artists.