Member for Werribee Tim Pallas has called out for creative ideas for boosting tourism with applications now open for the Victorian Government’s Creative Activation Fund.

Open to local councils and creative and community organisations and associations, the Creative Activation Fund will support the development and delivery of creative projects that have strong potential to become new tourist attractions, contributing to the economic recovery of the region in 2021 and beyond.

Supported projects can include, but are not limited to, public art that responds to the natural landscape, creative projects that breathe new life into buildings or unused sites, large-scale murals or sculptures and initiatives that showcase sites in new ways using technologies such as virtual or augmented reality.

Funding of between $40,000 and $300,000 is available for projects that will commence from 1 January 2021. Projects must be open to visitors for the majority of the year and have at least a three-year lifespan.

The program was launched in 2019 with the first round supporting a range of projects including a virtual walking tour app that shares First Peoples culture and connection to inner-city sites, open air galleries, largescale murals and digital and projection artworks that bring iconic buildings to life once the sun goes down.

The latest round is calling out for ground-breaking creative ideas with assessors focusing on projects that are led by Victorian First Peoples creative practitioners or organisations, reflect the culture and diversity of Victoria, align with the local priorities and are developed through collaboration across different creative disciplines.

While the program is open statewide, and past projects have been located in regional and metropolitan areas, the program prioritises projects that occur in regional Victoria.

Applications for the Creative Activation Fund are now open and close at 5pm, 24 September. Prospective applicants must contact Creative Victoria staff before applying.

Visit creative.vic.gov.au for full program guidelines and Creative Victoria staff contact details.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Creativity can be a powerful economic force and as we emerge out of the pandemic and look to rebound and recover, I encourage local creatives and organisations to propose ideas for new drawcard creative attractions that will celebrate local sites and stories, and will attract visitors from near and far.”

“The Creative Activation Fund is part of our work to protect local jobs, create new opportunities for local businesses and maintain Victoria’s position as the creative state – and all the benefits that brings.”