Media Release
Regional Arts Victoria will work with VicHealth to deliver the Future Reset: Young People, Arts and Mental Wellbeing project in Gippsland in 2023 and 2024. Future Reset will nurture professional development and creative opportunities among young people in a rapidly changing region via collaborations with organisations including GippSport, Gippslandia and the East Gippsland Art Gallery, as well as Gippsland based artists.
Future Reset builds on the many achievements across Gippsland since establishment of a dedicated Gippsland liaison role over 16 years ago. Our local regional staff members work with the creative community in the region, and their networks have informed the development of Future Reset among many other projects. This role will end in December 2023 due to changes in funding.
“Future Reset is a great example of the kinds of projects that benefit from relationships and networks. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation with almost 650 members, Regional Arts Victoria relies on partnerships to deliver projects and services throughout regional Victoria,” said Regional Arts Victoria CEO, Jo Porter.
“While we will not have a dedicated role for Gippsland from January 2024, I am optimistic that this is not forever. Gippsland’s creative communities are vibrant and innovative. We will continue to walk alongside them and to provide Regional Arts Fund applicants with advice and support.”
Regional Arts Victoria’s key achievements in Gippsland include a 17-year partnership with Wellington Shire Council and being an active member of Creative Gippsland, including facilitation of annual Come and Play in May and artist in residence programs. Regional Arts Victoria has been a part of social recovery planning in the region after the bushfires, supporting hundreds of artists and communities across Gippsland. Other projects include supporting the transition of the Stratford Courthouse Theatre from private management into a key community presenter of local and touring performances and facilitating the establishment of FLOAT in partnership with the Lake Tyers community as part of the Small Towns Transformations initiative in 2015.
Future Reset is a series of workshops, mentorships and events for young people that will employ artists and arts organisations throughout the Gippsland region.
About Regional Arts Victoria:
Regional Arts Victoria backs artists and communities across regional Victoria to make, participate in, and experience creative work.
Regional Arts Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit, membership-based organisation working in long-term partnerships with every level of government, fostering contemporary and innovative regional cultural practice. We advise and impact on decision-making across multiple portfolios and levels of government.
Regional Arts Victoria is the peak body for regional artists and arts organisations, and the leading organisation for regional creative practice in Victoria.
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Media Contact: Kate Gerritsen, 0415 210 197 or [email protected]
Posted: 22 June 2023