Greater Shepparton City Council recently announced the first round of successful applicants for the 2023/24 Creative City Grants Program, which directly supports local creative talent and encourages ongoing participation in the arts.
Among the grant recipients is Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, a hub for community engagement, receiving a portion of $2000.
The centre plans to channel these funds into classes where students will create metal sculptures, linocuts and other artworks for exhibition.
Splinter Contemporary Artists is also preparing for an exhibition, buoyed by a generous $4690 grant.
Titled ‘Breaking the Surface’, this collaborative display, entangling various mediums of work, will soon be presented at a Greater Shepparton space.
The upcoming exhibition will explore the vitality and fragility of the natural environment, particularly the diverse ecosystem of the Goulburn Valley and the planet as a whole.
Switching from paintbrush to pen, Goulburn Valley Writers’ Group will host a series of workshops led by professionals such as Melissa Black and Robyn Black, courtesy of $1200 received.
These workshops will cover various facets of writing, from screenwriting and playwriting to crafting short stories and history-based writing.
Also joining the ranks of grant beneficiaries is Are-Able.
With $2500 awarded, the not-for-profit organisation is launching ‘Art-Able’, a program designed to spotlight local artists living with disabilities by hosting an accessible exhibition to showcase and sell their artworks.
In doing so, Art-Able seeks to promote inclusivity and provide a supportive environment for artists with disabilities to thrive.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said it was fantastic to see significant funds distributed back into the community, strengthening the city’s identity as a centre for arts and culture.
“We are always pleased to deliver grants and funding to community groups and organisations which need a helping hand to achieve their goals,” he said.
“Whether that be through projects to help develop new creative works, content, products or services, a new arts component of an existing arts or cultural event, or other relevant projects.
“We understand how important this grant funding can be, and we look forward to seeing these successful applicants put the funding to good use.”
For more information about council’s grants program and future funding opportunities, visit greatershepparton.com.au/grants-and-funding
