Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) has announced a range of initiatives intended to foster the development of artist talent and works across the region.
GAC’s Creative Engine program will inject $1.2 million of funding, development, commissions, venue hire, staff and equipment into Geelong’s performance art scene.
Innovative dance-theatre creator Joel Bray and award-winning playwright Dan Giovannoni will be Creative Engine’s first ever Associate Artists, while 11 creators will receive support through Creative Engine grants and the Launchpad Initiative.
Recently appointed chief executive and creative director Rhys Holden said the program was about giving artists the chance to “explore, create and innovate”.
“By nurturing artists throughout their creative journey, we want Geelong Arts Centre to play a role in securing the future of Australia’s vibrant and diverse cultural community,” Mr Holden said.
Libby Brockman is one of the nine recipients of a Creative Engine grant, which will provide $5000 of funding, use of GAC spaces and mentoring to help develop her latest work, Lights, Camera, Seance!
A mixture of spoofy and spooky, the new work will be the sequel to Roaring, the hugely successful 1920s choose-your-own-adventure theatre experience that ran for three weeks at Queenscliff’s Vue Grande hotel.
Brockman said the support she received from GAC for Roaring had made all the difference.
“The Arts Centre as a whole is super supportive, always asking how they can help, offering advice and creating opportunities for actors and artists to network,” she said.
“(The Creative Engine grant) allows me to work with professionals I admire because I can pay them for their time… it definitely helps us focus and dedicate time, effort, energy and research into the project.”
