The City of Greater Geelong is continuously working towards positioning the region as a cultural centre of innovation with their Community Arts Grants Program.
Providing grants of up to $6000, the program aims to support the initiation, development and delivery of quality arts projects, in the hopes of enriching the regions culture whilst maximising community participation in local arts activity. We chat to Geelong City’s general manager of investment and attraction Brett Luxford about the program.
Hi Brett, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are the arts grants coming along?
The City’s Arts and Culture Department have had really positive conversations with more than 85 community groups about our Community Arts and Festivals Grants Program.
So the arts grants are currently open for applications, what kind of events/things have been successful in the past?
Each year the City receives around 20 festival submissions, and 40 to 50 arts project submissions.
The type of activity is incredibly broad, from visual art exhibitions or public art ideas, to film projects, publishing ideas and performing arts activities, that engage with the community in extraordinary or interesting ways outside the group’s usual practice.
Is there anything you’re hoping to get more submissions of this year?
As in previous years, the City is again looking for activity that enriches the cultural fabric of the Geelong region and makes the most of community participation in local arts activities.
What would be your three tips to someone who’s writing a grant for the first time?
To write a grant, it’s important to read the guidelines carefully. Start by forming a detailed budget, and then be specific about the activity you are proposing to fund with grant money. Also mention how the activities impact on your target demographic.
Is there anything off limits? What are the boundaries with which they can apply for events?
There have been some very edgy arts ideas supported over the years and the City of Greater Geelong welcomes all ideas.
There are some things that we don’t fund, mostly because those things are covered by other kinds of funding programs; but everything is covered in the grant guidelines which you can download from our website.
How much difference has obtaining these grants actually made to people and their events?
People always say that these grants mean the difference between having an idea, to actually getting their event off and running.
What kind of impact do you think the arts has on the community?
There is no doubt that a vibrant and active culture is absolutely central to the success of our community.
Countless studies show that the arts increase community cohesion, build the economy, increase tourism and improve the community’s image. The challenge is to push the boundaries to uncover the creative soul in this place and its people.
Thanks again for chatting with us, is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish up?
Applications to this year’s main grant round close on Friday 29th July, so if you are thinking about applying, and missed the annual Expression of Interest sessions in June, you will need to get in touch with the City ASAP on 5272 4703.
