Federal money for Grampians
Grampians towns will celebrate a continuing revival of the region’s cultural and arts scenes in 2022 as outdoor projects and activities receive a government boost.
Northern Grampians Shire Council, in partnership with Wimmera arts organisation ACT Natimuk, will activate outdoor spaces in the region from May to June as part of a ‘Gatherings 2022. The Grampians Way’ project.
The council’s Gathering 2022 project will see Halls Gap, St Arnaud, Great Western and Stawell communities host outdoor street entertainment, cultural displays and performances in town centres and public spaces during May and June.
The project attracted a $150,000 contribution from the State Government’s COVIDSAFE Outdoor Activation Fund 2021, aimed at revitalising public spaces after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State Government has allocated $40million for the fund, within a $54.5-million Outdoor Economy Package, to help Victorian councils to ‘transform more outdoor areas, get more people outdoors and support local businesses’.
Northern Grampians mayor Tony Driscoll said the project was a fantastic way to celebrate coming out of COVID-19.
“We are a small community in Northern Grampians Shire with a big appetite for the arts and in normal times attract high numbers of visitors annually to our festivals and events,” he said.
“ACT Natimuk is sure to produce a program of events that is very memorable and unique to us and will increase visitation to our area. I encourage everyone from far and wide to participate and connect.”
The project will see artists and producers work with the four Grampians communities to build on ‘local interest and momentum’ in the arts to produce the Gatherings 2022 program.
Creative producer and Y Space director Jillian Pearce will collaborate with Halls Gap communities, Natimuk artist Mary French in St Arnaud, arts project co-ordinator and Made in Natimuk producer Verity Higgins in Great Western and Regional Arts Victoria artistic director Jacinda O’sullivan in Stawell .
The State Government hopes the outdoor activation funding will support businesses and entertainment industries hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions.
State Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said it was great to see Northern Grampians council use its share of the money for a Gatherings 2022 project.
“I look forward to seeing locals and visitors out and about, enjoying our wonderful local arts and culture scene as well as our great local hospitality,” she said.
ACT Natimuk general manager Tracey Skinner said the Northern Grampians project epitomised ACT Natimuk’s work.
“Bringing community together to collaborate, create and deliver arts and culture performances and events are what we do. And love to do! We are thrilled to work with these communities and local artists to create a legacy, to provide that connectedness, and we are hopeful that this will become an annual event,” she said.