In late 2022 Regional Arts Victoria received confirmation from Creative Victoria that we were funded to deliver Creative Recovery in East Gippsland in 2023 as an extension of our previous work in the region. Our Regional Manager – Gippsland was moved into the role of Community Engagement Manager and began connecting with artists, communties and networks who RAV had worked with and supported in 2020/21 following the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Funding partnerships were created with Kelly Albornoz from Albatross Photograpy to deliver a workshop and exhibition with children from GEGAC Kindergarden as part of NAIDOC week. Music Victoria was supported to deliver drumming workshops for young people as part of the Far East Music Festival. Future Reset was funded to deliver youth initiatives across Gippsland including a mentorship with Wacky Wombat Circus.
A relaxed funding round was developed and targetted to specific fire impacted communties with 3 x $5,000 grants awarded and 9 x $1,000 grants that helped artists and communties deliver a range of workshops and purchase equipment.
We have compiled a list of Creative Recovery and emergency response resources to assist artists and communities in delivering Creative Recovery projects in their region. To access an evaluation of this project please reach out to [email protected].
Creative Recovery has been a vital part of RAV’s work over the past 15 years or so and we feel incredibly privileged to be trusted to support communities impacted by natural disaster.
Thanks to former RAV worker Anna Kennedy-Borissow, PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Teaching Fellow School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne for sharing with us some great resources that she has discovered through her research.
Small Grant Recipients
$5,000 Grants
East Gippsland Art Gallery
Filmmaking with twelve young people. The workshops facilitated learning about film making and young people created their own short story about the impact of bushfire.
Goongerah District Art Education and Employment
An imprint for creative recovery. Funding was used to source print making equipment for the Goongerah community centre art space as well as delivering workshops/skill share and a printing party. The equipment will be used for ongoing events.
Rosalind Crisp (Omeo Dance)
Omeo Dance Inc presented a live and vibrant community event in Orbost on Saturday 4 November 2023. Local/international dance artist Rosalind Crisp and improvisation performer Andrew Morrish performed with Malaysian born restauranteur and percussionist Dure Dure (OAM) and virtuosic vocalist, Carolyn Connors.
$1,000 Grants
Bruthen Art and Information Centre
Bruthen Artists on Show. An art exhibition showcased Bruthen and District artists of all ages and backgrounds at the Bruthen Art and Information Centre including two art workshops.
Bruthen Arts and Events
Spring Jazz Concert – a Sunday afternoon concert held at the Bruthen Hall on 26 November 2023 featuring Melbourne based band Fat’azz.
Buchan Gelantipy & Districts Renewal Association
Scrapbooking/Card Making – 4 workshops with 8 participants, a combination of adult evening/day time and primary school children as an afterschool activity.
Great Alpine Gallery
Go Potty and Weave workshops with Chris Guthleben and Emily Travis.
Lilly Leggett – Rainbow Ball and other youth events
Rainbow Ball purchased new speakers to run a number of events including Youth art prize, Live and Local and a Rainbow Ball in Buchan.
Maz Kelly (Comes in Handy)
Purchased equipment/workstation to increase practice capability for my small handmade/upcycled clothing and accessory business.
Omeo Health
A filmmaking workshop for the young people in the bush fire affected rural region of Omeo with Shaun Herbertson, a highly experienced cinematographer from Melbourne.
Tambo Crossing Community Association
A sculpture workshop to make artworks from scrap metal including an event to showcase the participants achievements.
Tracey and Alan Solomon
Short, free wood burning workshops with Gunnaikurnai artist Alan Solomon.