The City of Greater Bendigo is delighted to launch the 2022 Creative Gastronomy Residency Program and is calling for creatives and artists to apply for funded residency positions at five designated food businesses and organisations based in the region.
Bendigo and the region became Australia's first designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2019 in recognition of its diverse food culture and commitment to local, sustainable delicious and creative produce.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the Creative Gastronomy Residency had been designed to celebrate the region's gastronomy designation and it followed the success last year of the first creative residency program.
"The City's Greater CREATIVE Bendigo strategy identified a need to grow partnerships between the creative and business sector and this is a great way to focus on our UNESCO Creative City designation," Cr Metcalf said.
"This year the City has partnered with PepperGreen Farm, Bendigo TAFE, Bridgward Grove, Silver Spoon Estate and the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society to offer five paid residencies.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank these organisations for getting involved in this program and for recognising its importance and benefits.
"The City-funded residency is a fantastic opportunity for creatives and artists living, working or studying in the Bendigo region of Gastronomy to join one of our designated businesses or organisations over a one to three-month residency between May and September.
"The outcome is to creatively engage with the business or organisation in some way, either through research, stories, space, interviews, workshops, display, demonstration, technology, conversations, performance, developing ideas or work that responds to gastronomy or one of the four City of Gastronomy themes for our region.
"Artists and creatives can develop their practice, test new ideas, create new work, build networks and professional connections through the Creative Gastronomy Residency program.
"Expressions of interest are now open, and I encourage creatives and artists to apply as successful applicants will receive mentorship, financial support and professional development."
The residency is open to artists or creatives in any disciplines from makers, visual artists, sound/lighting designers, writers, multiform artists, performers, musicians to designers, film makers, digital creators/storytellers and architects.
Applications for the Creative Gastronomy Residency Program are open until Sunday May 8. To apply, visit: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/creative-gastronomy-residency
