Council gives $800,000 to support Melbourne artists

Fifty-nine artists and arts organisations have received grants of up to $20,000 for projects in theatre, dance, music, circus, writing, multimedia and visual art to be delivered across 2019.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio Chair, Councillor Rohan Leppert, said the grants provide a major boost for local artists to explore creative ideas and provoke thought and discussion.

"The latest round of arts grants will ensure 925 days' worth of arts activity in our city in 2019, with more than 1,800 artists involved," Cr Leppert said.

"Not only are we working hard to foster Melbourne's incredible artistic talents, we're also ensuring their work is brought to the public free of charge, with more than 75 per cent of this year's events open to everyone.

"It's exciting to see such a wealth of varied talent within the  City of Melbourne and I look forward to seeing their contributions to Australia's cultural capital."

This year's arts grants recipients include:

Melbourne indie rock band Rudely Interrupted, a band comprised of people living with a disability, who'll put on a collaborative musical showcase to coincide with Autism Awareness Week.Freeplay Independent Games Festival, a cross-disciplinary celebration of the artistry of independent games and playful culture.Reciproco/Reciprocal by Dominco de Clario, an experimental international collaboration between five contemporary visual artists of Italian origin from Melbourne and five contemporary visual artists from Italy.An exhibition Tales of Legends by Canh Tran, showcasing handcrafted beaded items created as imaginary archaeological artefacts of the Vietnamese people.The Garden Dance by Jo Lloyd, a series of outdoor performances for 10 dancers investigating the concept and use of a grid system to tame a city, accompanied by movement workshops for the public.

Cr Leppert said the Annual Arts Grants Program has celebrated Melbourne's creative community for the past 20 years, with a 363 per cent return for every budget dollar spent.

"The Arts Grants Program is one of Council's most successful and I am incredibly proud we continue to help support the important work of Melbourne's artistic community."

For more information, visit the Annual Arts Grants Program website.

Successful 2019 grant recipients:

Applicant ArtformProject titleAustralian Dance Council - Ausdance Victoria Inc.DanceAustralian Youth Dance FestivalAustralian Poetry LimitedWriting, literatureMelbourne Eco!SlamBruno BoothVisualHostile InfrastructureCameron BishopVisualWonder Room for OneCanh TranVisual, craftTales of LegendsCarla SerranoMultimediaMexican Documentary Film ShowcaseCentre for Projection ArtMultimediaProjection ArtChannels: The Australian Video Art FestivalVisualChannels: The Australian Video Art FestivalChris KohnTheatre, live artScreensChristine MauboyMultimedia, VisualArts residency - Art and Heritage CollectionChristopher BryantWriting, literatureArts residency - Boyd GarretClimarteVisualClimarte Poster ProjectDavid NoonanVisual, craftGlassDomenico de ClarioVisualreciproco/reciprocalEmma HallTheatre, live artWorld ProblemsFiona ClarkeWriting, literatureThe Rainbow Serpent is ComingFreeplay IncMultimediaFreeplay Independent Games FestivalGender EuphoriaTheatre, live artGender EuphoriaGoing Down SwingingWriting, literatureReturn Flight MEL>HKGIan HaigMultimediaBorderlandsJack SheppardDanceThe HonouringJan D MittmannMultimediaArts residency - Guild co-workingJane ThompsonTheatre,  writingArts residency - Guild co-workingJo LloydDanceGarden DanceJodi WileyVisualPaper and InkJoel BrayDanceTantalusJonathan Grieves-SmithMusicCity SingsLab Kelpie IncTheatre, live artRefinedLaura ImbrugliaMusicThe CreepsLeisa Shelton (Campbell)Visual, craftAn Artist in Your NeighbourhoodLemony S Puppet TheatreTheatre, live artMelbourne Festival of PuppetryLiving Learning AustraliaMusicGot StuckMartyn CouttsTheatre, live artThe Fire WithinMegan MundellWriting, literatureWe Are Here: Stories of Home, Place and BelongingMelbourne Electronic Sound Studio LtdMusicResidency ProgramMelbourne Women in Film FestivalVisualMelbourne Women in Film FestivalMeredith TurnbullVisual, craftThe Library Project at CraftMichael PriorMultimediaExpanding RoomMiranda HillMusicHomophonicMonique GrbecVisualBring Them HomeMorgan HickinbothamMusicReflectionNgioka Bunda-HeathDanceBlood QuantumOuter Urban ProjectsTheatre, live artThe AuditionRadiant PavilionVisual, craftRadiant PavilionRafaella McDonaldMultimedia, VisualArts residency - Boyd Studio-1Roshelle FongTheatre, live artnomnomnomRudely InterruptedMusicPublic performanceSamuel SzwarcbordVisual, craftShow HomeSarah Austin and CoTheatre, live artGiant Little AriasShir MadnessMusicShir MadnessSoft StoriesVisualSea You in the SoupSteph OHaraMusicArts residency - Boyd Studio-1Sticky InstituteVisualFestival of the Photocopier Zine FairThe BoiteMusicWorld Music CaféThe ListiesTheatre, live artThe Listies Night at the MuseumThe Melbourne Cinémathèque IncVisualNeorealism, Naturalism and the Search for IdentityWeave Movement TheatreDanceWanna be a Rabbit Writers VictoriaWriting, literatureOnly Connect digital residenciesYi Pei LohVisualThe Fictional Days