The new year brings with it a new program of exciting arts projects to enjoy throughout the city.
We are fortunate to live in a region where arts of all disciplines are thriving. With state-of-the-art creative spaces through to grassroots artistic development programs, our city has all the resources to support creative careers and projects.
It is encouraging to see local arts companies placing an importance on artistic development, promoting talent within the region to produce outstanding work that can be enjoyed by our community.
While our arts scene continues to grow, development programs support the future of arts in our city and recognise the importance of cultivating artist’s skills for a bright and creative future, particularly outside of capital cities.
Earlier this month, the Potato Shed announced its 2025 season boasting comedies, operas, cabarets, and music.
This year’s season also gives the opportunity for resident theatre companies, such as Theatre 3triple2, to showcase the brilliant work of local playwrights, directors and actors.
For more than two decades, the company has provided local artists with the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of alumni and professional writers.
Theatre 3triple2 supports development pathways for emerging and established performers, fostering a love for the arts in creative minds from a young age with school holiday programs.
Another advocate for creative development, the Geelong Arts Centre welcomes 180,000 visitors per year, and sees 15,000 artists enter its studios and theatre spaces annually.
The Arts Centre’s artist-lead development initiative, Creative Engine launched in 2019 and offers a support base for creatives. It continues to provide opportunities for artists through professional development, workshops, events, and its own funding opportunities.
This is also a key focus over at Platform Arts, which has built a framework that incorporates arts laboratories, residencies, mentorship, and artist-led training. The company is working to ensure arts careers can be sustained outside of capital cities.
Development programs like these help safeguard the future of arts within our city, providing up and coming artists with avenues to collaborate and master their skills.
Council recognises the importance of the future of the arts in the region, and this is reflected in the most recent round of Community Grants funding.
Thirteen Arts Projects have secured funding, with a total $116,000 investment.
This grants program will support youth arts camps and workshops, art classes, exhibition developments, as well as the production of multidisciplinary works integrating dance, digital art, installations, music, and short films.
An additional four grants have been awarded to Creative Commissions, with $65,000 invested, while nine Clever and Creative Seed Grant recipients shared $22,500 in funding.
These projects span mentorship opportunities for writers, residencies within theatre companies, and micro-residencies within publishing houses to provide creatives with the chance to develop their skills and share their craft with the wider community.
There is no denying that our city is home to a great deal of creative talent.
We look forward to seeing how the successful applicants across all programs utilise these funds to support the city’s future in the arts.
