RAV encouraging local artists to apply for grants
 Baw Baw Entertainment   By // 14:26, Sunday 21 July 2013

RAVAGRAF

Arts blogger David ‘Wombat’ Lyons looks at the latest funding opportunities from Regional Arts Victoria.

Following the Baw Baw Arts Alliance AGM at the Yarragon Arts Hub earlier this month, Regional Arts Victoria Development Officer Deb Milligan gave a presentation on the Regional Arts Fund.


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To an audience of artists, business owners and teachers from communities across Baw Baw Shire, Ms Milligan explained that the Australian Government initiative supports ‘sustainable cultural development in regional Australia’.

In Victoria this grants program is delivered by Regional Arts Victoria and round two of the 2013 fund closes on 19 August for projects commencing in January next year.

Project grants of $15,000 for cultural projects and skills development, as well as ‘toe in the water grants’ of $6,000 for first time applicants will be offered in round two.

The Regional Arts Victoria presentation covered the sections of the application form, budget and criteria. Ms Milligan said ‘competitive applications will clearly articulate what the project is, involve professional regional artists and have strong arts outcomes.’


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Community engagement and strengthening community participation in art were presented as key aims of the grants program and were highlighted in examples of previous successful applications, including the Warragul-based ‘Wild Dogs’ production by Off the Leash Theatre.

Using the Wild Dogs example, Ms Milligan highlighted it was the proposed series of workshops with professional theatre practitioners focusing on specific skills including voice, movement and set design that made for a successful grant application.

Drouin writer Jeannie Haughton, who applied for the Wild Dogs project, spoke of her experience and indicated that as you work though the grant process you should ask for help and support from the RAV development officers, like Deb Milligan.

Guidelines for the Regional Arts Fund can be found at www.rav.net.au/funding-and-resources/fund and RAV development officer Deb Milligan can be contacted on 03 5142 3330 or email dmilligan@rav.net.au.

Wombat is a goat farmer at Yarragon Goats, hobbyist artist and youth worker. Wombat encourages everyone to participate in the creative community of Gippsland. Remember to like the Yarragon Goats Facebook page.

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