Arts project to bridge the gap towards better health in Baw Baw

Published on 06 August 2020

Baw Baw Shire Council and Arts and Health Gippsland have received a grant through VicHealth’s Everyday Creativity Program create opportunities for more people to participate in creative projects.

The Live – Well, Come – Share (Stories), is a two-year project that will see cultural ambassadors selected to work with communities to create arts or cultural projects that enable inclusive community building.

Short films detailing the creative process will also be created and screened in local businesses and libraries.

The project will be delivered by Council and Arts and Health Gippsland in partnership with Baw Baw Arts Alliance, Latrobe Community Health Service and West Gippsland Libraries.

The Everyday Creativity grants program is designed to promote health and wellbeing at a local level through participation in arts and culture. ­Live – Well, Come – Share (Stories) is one of seven unique projects being delivered across Victoria as part of the program.  

For more information on how to become involved please contact Council via email at [email protected] or call 1300 229 229.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“This is will be a fantastic collaborative project that will offer people who may not have had the opportunity to participate in the arts before the chance to create something meaningful for their community.”

Quotes attributable to Arts and Culture Advisory Committee representative Cr Jessica O’Donnell

“Timing for this project in Baw Baw Shire is ideal; we have a rapidly increasing population and we know our established strong community partnerships already in place will help us reach residents not currently participating in the arts.”

Quotes attributable to Arts and Culture Advisory Committee representative Cr Mikaela Power

“This project is a wonderful opportunity to harness the broad networks of each of the participating organisations and get more people involved in the arts. I’m looking forward to seeing the creative process unfold over the next two years.”

Quotes attributable to Rebecca Vandyk, Director of Art and Health Gippsland

“The act of sharing art-making, or an art-appreciation activity with others in the community is a great way to increase wellbeing and connect with people in your community who care about you. If you make art or appreciate the arts within a group often enough, it can be the difference between just 'getting by’ and living well.”

Image: Rebecca Vandyk leads a Baw Baw Shire workshop held in January 2020 where over forty community members contributed their ideas to inform the successful Vic Health application.