Arts and Cultural Grants recipients announced in latest founding round

Council is pleased to announce the recipients of six funding grants totalling $22,380 to help boost arts and culture projects in Maroondah.

The Arts and Cultural Grants Funding Scheme is a category of Council’s Community Grants Program and enables not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver arts and cultural activities that reflect the diversity of the Maroondah community.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Marijke Graham, a representative on Council’s Arts Advisory Committee, said Council had once again received applications for projects of a high standard.

“Council has approved six projects from across the municipality which will benefit from $22,380 in funding under the Arts and Cultural Grants Funding Scheme for 2020/21,” Cr Graham said.

“Council continues to receive well-developed and diverse applications for projects which will continue to strengthen the important arts and cultural fabric of our city,” she said.

The Arts and Cultural Grants support a diverse and culturally rich Maroondah through community-driven projects, initiatives and events that increase the profile of and participation in the arts.

Groups who were successful in receiving funding will contribute to an increase in community participation in a wide range of arts and cultural activities, and will help strengthen the identity and profile of the arts in Maroondah through effective arts programming and marketing.

“I would like to congratulate all of the groups who were successful in securing funding.

“Arts and cultural participation is high on the list of community priorities across Maroondah and we are delighted with the range of projects submitted by the applicants in this round of grants. These range from public art initiatives in our shopping areas to activities that focus on culturally diverse and isolated groups. The involvement of highly skilled artists and cultural leaders in these projects is key to their success. We look forward to the impact that this will have across Maroondah. We wish all of the recipients the very best with their upcoming projects,” Cr Graham said.

Arts and Cultural Grants Funding Scheme recipients

The successful 2020/2021 Arts and Cultural Grants Funding Scheme recipients are:

Fresh Theatre for Social Change – ‘The Unsaid’ ($5000)

An original play which will be promoted to local schools along with an education pack. This play will be unique in its development and structure, improvisational and collaborative approach.

Maroondah Singers – Inclusion Program ($2500)

The program will promote inclusion through musical performance. The capacity of the choir will be built through new technology to facilitate learning of new repertoire. The community will benefit through improved sound enhancement in diverse performance settings. 

Ringwood and District Historical Society (Heathmont History Group) – Orchard tribute bollards ($3000)

Bollards will be decorated with artworks as a tribute to the orchardists who pioneered Heathmont. The project will be undertaken in partnership with community and schools and will celebrate this aspect of local heritage within the local shopping strip. 

Ringwood East Traders Association Inc. – Ringwood East Art Installation ($5380)

A significant piece or pieces of art within the Ringwood East shopping precinct to raise the quality, enjoyment and appreciation of the arts experience and encourage visitation and participation by the local community and Maroondah in general. 

Yarrunga Community Centre – ISO Art ($3000)

ISO Art, images of experiences in isolation during COVID-19, will support the community to share their experiences and emotions of Coronavirus lockdown through art, assisting with mental health self-care.

Zomi Association Australia Inc. – Zomi Traditional Music ($3500)

Traditional Zomi musicians will lead a Daaktum workshop for young people. The project will benefit Zomi young people by bringing them together to enhance social wellbeing and encourage them to participate in the wider community by showing their Daaktum music skills.