The City of Swan has awarded the Ellenbrook Cultural Foundation (trading as Ellenbrook Arts) with a $700,000 grant spanning three years to support the thriving arts community in Ellenbrook and surrounding suburbs.
The award follows a Council Resolution in August 2019 to go to a competitive EOI process to seek an organisation to deliver an arts program in Ellenbrook and surrounding suburbs.
Ellenbrook Arts is a not for profit organisation, founded in 2002 to provide leadership and advocacy in arts and culture for the rapidly growing Ellenbrook community.
The organisation delivers community arts programs, events and services that span across visual, performing, literary and other arts disciplines, and has forged strong connections with the local community through its extensive number of outreach programs.
Its main premises, the Ellenbrook Arts HQ, is host to a professional gallery space that gives the opportunity for both nationally recognised artists and budding local talents to display their work.
Through its second premises, the Grapevine Community Art Space, Ellenbrook Arts provides meeting spaces for local groups, including dancers, writers, quilters and many others.
City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said Ellenbrook is one of our fastest growing suburbs, with the population expected to increase more than 55 per cent by 2051.
"We want to ensure that as our population grows, local people have access to rich artistic and cultural experiences that foster wellbeing," he said.
"We are delighted to support the Ellenbrook Cultural Foundation so they can continue their invaluable work in contributing to a vibrant, cohesive and inclusive community."
Pearce Ward Councillor Patty Jones said Ellenbrook Arts' regular community art exhibitions and annual art award show have become part of the beating cultural heart of the area.
"In addition to supporting more traditional forms of art, they also offer a wide range of accessible and affordable programs that cater for a diverse range of interests," she said.
Ellenbrook Arts Executive Director Gemma Ben-Ary said this grant recognises Ellenbrook as a culturally significant place in the City.
"It means that we will be able to continue to provide excellent cultural experiences for the community," she said.
Pictured: Jordan Villers, Res Novae, 2019
