Northern Grampians Shire community members and not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to $5000 to help to turn artistic concepts into reality through the council’s arts and culture grant program.

Money is available for projects that align with the council’s arts and culture strategy 2020-2024 and public art guidelines 2023.

Successful projects must have a focus on one of three priority areas: provision of workshops and activities that produce opportunities for community members to connect and participate in arts and culture; design and-or delivery of small-scale public art, including murals, to activate public spaces; and activities that help raise the profile of arts and culture in the shire.

Council chief executive Brent McAlister encouraged eligible individuals and groups to make the most of the grants program, which accepted applications twice a year.

“We’ve had some fantastic projects come to fruition through this program, such as SPAFest Stawell, which included three days of workshops, a showcase concert and contributed to discussions about the future of performing arts in our region,” he said.

“Other projects include Pianopalooza, an extravaganza of time-travelling piano shenanigans; and a Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Mural, scheduled to be painted in January next year.

“St Arnaud – Then and Now historical art project and a mural at Halls Gap Botanic Gardens are also in the works. I can’t wait to see what our clever and talented community comes up with next.”

All proposals for public art projects across the shire are reviewed by a council working group and the Public Art Reference Group, PARG, established last year.

Expressions of interest for the PARG and applications for the art and culture grants close on December 9.

People can visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Residents/Grants/Arts-and-Culture-Grant-Program for more information or to apply.

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