The Victorian Government is ensuring that all Victorians have the opportunity to experience the best arts and creative experiences with applications now open for two grants programs focused on getting more shows to regional and outer metropolitan areas.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas today invited creative and community organisations large and small to explore the grants available through the Victorian Government’s Small Regional Presenters and Touring Victoria programs.

The Small Regional Presenters Program offers grants to incorporated community organisations and local government bodies in regional area to bring performing arts shows to their communities and venues.

Past recipients have included local hall committees, mechanics institutes, neighborhood house committees, preservation and progress associations, festival organisations and arts councils.

A flip on the touring model, the program hands the reins to people on the ground to choose shows that they know will be a hit with local audiences. The program is open to the full spectrum performing arts and live shows, including theatre, music, dance and literary events.

COVIDSafe funding will also be available to presenters previously supported through the Small Regional Presenters Program that had to postpone their shows to 2021.Applications close at 12 noon, 23 March 2021.

Regional arts and cultural organisations with plans to tour professional productions, performances, exhibitions or programs to other regional and outer-metropolitan locations across the state are invited to apply for support through the Touring Victoria program.

Projects that have received Touring Victoria support in previous years but had to shift their plans to 2021 or beyond due to the pandemic can also apply for support to remount their tour and put COVIDSafe measures in place. Applications close at 5pm, 25 March 2021.

The Small Regional Presenters and Touring Victoria programs are in addition to the Victorian Government’s dedicated State Budget investment of more than $40 million to support creative reactivation and recovery in regional and outer metropolitan areas.

Visit the Creative Victoria website for program details, www.creative.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“After the events of 2020, our community is ready to get back to doing the things that we love, including experiencing creative COVIDSafe events and performances.”

“If you have an idea for a show that would be bring the community together, or you’re a creative organisation planning to go on tour, I encourage you to find out more about the programs on offer and apply.”