Arts grants funding boost to support local artists during COVID-19
An extra $15,000 in Arts grants funding has been approved by Council to help stimulate Kingston's creative economy and assist local artists and creatives.
The additional funds will take the total to just over $38,000.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said Council hoped the increase in funding will help local artists and creatives reboot, rebound and recover from the impact of the pandemic.
"We have so much creative talent in and around Kingston and Council is proud to be able to support them, so they can entertain, enthral and inspire our local community," Cr Oxley said. "Now more than ever we need to be cheered up and art, music and theatre is a welcome distraction from everything else going on around us."
Local musician AKOSIA said all the live gigs dried up as a result of COVID-19 but she still wants to get the music she is writing out there and is working on her first EP.
"The Arts Grant from Kingston will enable me to continue working with producers in the studio to create beautiful music," said the singer/songwriter.
AKOSIA agrees that during times like these, artists and entertainers become even more crucial to lift people's spirits. "As artists, one of our many roles is to help people navigate tough times," she said. "Many people are feeling isolated, music is a safe way to manage stress and process everything that is happening right now."
Artist Sofie Dieu will use her grant money to put together an exhibition that celebrates first generation Australian women's stories and address what 'home' means to them.
The exhibition will be on at the Kingston Arts Centre but will also include online components to enable the community to experience it from home if COVID-19 restrictions are still in place.
Ms Dieu said grants were crucial for artists, especially at the moment. "It's very important to support artists, without this funding my exhibition wouldn't be possible," Ms Dieu said.
Arts Access Victoria's inclusive arts studio Art Day South, based at the Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre, also received a grant to put on a two-week event to celebrate the studio's 25th anniversary. It will include an exhibition, performances and workshops.
Coordinator and Creative Producer Geoff Robinson said receiving the grant will allow the studio to celebrate this milestone. "The event will be an opportunity to showcase the rich body of work of deaf and disabled artists in the City of Kingston and 25 years of inclusive arts practice," said Mr Robinson.
