From a First Peoples kids swimwear line to transforming algae into a sustainable replacement for vinyl, the latest round of the Creative Projects Fund is backing Victorian creatives and entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next level.
Over $2.2 million in grants will support 123 projects across the state, spanning design, dance, literature, film, fashion, visual arts, music and more.
Independent creative workers and micro businesses are the backbone of the state’s $40.3 billion creative economy. The Creative Projects Fund helps independent creatives and organisations to develop new projects, undertake professional development and take their work to national and international markets.
The grant recipients and projects reflect the diversity of the Victorian creative community – including a new multi-lingual theatre show that will be developed in collaboration with Taiwanese artists and a short film about the experiences of Indian diaspora.
The Creative Projects Fund has a dedicated First Peoples stream which will support 22 projects including a children’s book about preserving culture, the creation of two artworks exploring the sacred site Leanganook on Dja Dja Wurrung county and a brand new circus performance by Na Dijnang Circus.
Projects by deaf and disabled creatives include a new documentary from Restless Dance Theatre and Chunky Move that will tour the state and a suite of short films made by students with lived experience in collaboration with Frankston-based organisation BAM Arts Inc.
Towns and suburbs across the state will benefit from the investment with a literary festival celebrating local talent taking place on the Mornington Peninsula, a mobile arts and craft workshop for kids in Laverton, and the Neurokin Festival – a live and online arts festival for neurodivergent audiences – coming to Castlemaine.
The grants will also provide opportunities for emerging creatives with Fitzroy’s 3CR Radio getting backing to run workshops for aspiring musicians with Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian and North African backgrounds, and exhibition and events collective Trocadero Projects running a mentorship program for up and coming artists.
Find out more about the Creative Projects Fund.