After 17 brilliant years as RAV’s Regional Manager in Victoria’s South West, Jo Grant has decided to call time. Her achievements have been many, and attest to the deep impact of an artist working alongside other artists to ensure access to funding and stimulate confident creative practice. Most recently, Jo has spear-headed the South West Creative Industries Strategy, which sees five local governments and their partners collaborate on joint priorities and drive beneficial and sustainable creative industries in the region.
Highlights of this work have included:
- almost $2.5 million of leveraged funding to projects in the South West including support for young creatives in the region and mapping creative infrastructure;
- working with several of the South West’s local governments to develop interconnecting arts and culture strategies;
- support of local arts organisations including Warrnambool’s Find Your Voice Collective whose achievements as a choir, film-makers, visual artists and theatre makers have been recognised by program funding from Creative Victoria.
Jo is taking a well-earned break to focus on getting well after a recently diagnosed health matter.
In Jo’s words “It has been the most wonderful privilege to work with the creative communities of the Southwest, and with Regional Arts Victoria for the last 17 years. The work has been exhilarating and exciting, with a depth of interest that I’ve never experienced in any other job. I have made many friends and witnessed the arts grow in the region, and across our State in a way that makes the importance of creatives to our regional communities undeniable. Though it saddens me to be stepping away from this work, it’s time to focus on my health. Thank you to every single artist, community connection and council staff member who supports the work we do in the region. And thank you to RAV for being the most amazing organisation to work for”.
All of Jo’s current and past colleagues at RAV applaud Jo’s contribution to her region, RAV, Victoria and beyond.
We know you will join us in wishing her all the best for recovery and look forward to updates from Jo and her sidekick Monty.