Five talented creatives have been selected for a Creative Residency Program at five local organisations, including the City of Greater Bendigo.
The new Creative Residency Program was set up under the City Recovery Fund to provide opportunities for creatives to maintain and grow their skills and support those who have been unable to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The five paid creative residency positions are for up to three months at the City, Coliban Water, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Bendigo Pottery and The Emporium Creative Hub.
Kathy Holowko has a Master's in Fine Art and creates installations, public art and playful projects using a variety of media. She will join the City for a residency program to introduce 'creative making' as an alternative approach in communicating some ideas and concepts to the community.
Caitlin Royce, a multi-disciplinary and researcher, creates works through the exploration of archives, scientific data and possible connections between human and non-human life. Ms Royce will join Coliban Water to map Greater Bendigo's historical waterways through moving image, photography and sound to produce digital installations.
Mia McAuslan is a writer, producer and researcher and writes about eco-anxiety. She is undertaking a PhD in creative writing and will join the collaborative creative community at the Emporium Creative Hub on Mitchell Street.
Kerry Punton is a visual artist who originally trained in ceramics and works across multiple mediums for large scale projects. At Bendigo Pottery, Ms Punton will research the history of design and manufacturing at the company. She will also manipulate and alter commercial forms produced at Bendigo Pottery as a studio artist.
Bailey Bish is a graphic designer and illustrator who specialises in logos, icons, packaging design and typography. She also produces Being in your twenties to connect with young women through illustrations. Ms Bish will be based at Bendigo bank's flagship branch in Mitchell Street to focus on women in business, including those running micro-businesses.
City Acting Director Strategy and Growth Andrew Cooney said the arts and those working in creative industries had been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions and lockdowns.
"The program has been designed to nurture Greater Bendigo's talent providing time, space, mentorship, financial support and professional development for the creation of new work," Mr Cooney said.
"The City's Greater CREATIVE Bendigo strategy identified a need to grow partnerships between the creative and business sectors and I am delighted that Bendigo Pottery, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Coliban Water, the Emporium Creative Hub together with the City are taking part in this innovative program.
"Creatives can stimulate creative design thinking, promote positive organisational culture and assist business to connect with their communities in unique and innovative ways."
