Geelong Arts Centre announces new Creative Engine grants for local artists

Geelong Arts Centre’s commitment to inspiring creativity in the G21 region and investing in emerging local works continues, through a new grant round focussed on supporting positive risk-taking among homegrown creatives.

Totalling $12,000 in financial grants and over $30,000 of value-in-kind studio access at the arts centre’s landmark Ryrie Street building, the six available grant packages will directly benefit individuals and organisations who are looking to develop new and exciting work, push the boundaries, and advance their contemporary arts practice.

Available packages include:

  • 2x Ignition: $5,000 plus in-kind studio access and mentoring opportunities
  • 2x Jump Start: $1,000 plus in-kind studio access
  • 2x Place to Make: In-kind studio access

Applications are welcomed from all practising artists across all artforms looking to develop new works.

First Nations artists, artists of diverse backgrounds and artists with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Grant applications will open from 9:00am Monday 28 June and will close at 5:00pm, Sunday 25 July.

Selected successful projects will be notified on Thursday 26 August.

Prospective candidates will have the opportunity to attend an online Q&A information session with Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine team at 4:00pm on Friday 25 June. Interested applicants can register for the session by emailing [email protected]

To be successful, applications must demonstrate an ability to meet the program’s three selection criteria: connection, innovation and thoughtfulness.

Learn more about the Creative Engine grants

Geelong Arts Centre CEO & Creative Director, Joel McGuinness
“Our aim for these grants is to assist a diverse range of artists and creatives to build sustainable and dynamic practice right here in Geelong. We believe wholeheartedly that local practitioners are vital to a clever and creative future for our region and that arts and culture have an important role to play in the wellbeing of our community.”

Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer, Penny McCabe
“We’re always thrilled to be able to announce new funding opportunities for our arts community, but after the year that was, it feels particularly poignant to be able to invest in exciting new works and support some truly innovative artists.”

Blink Dance Theatre Artistic Director, Lyndel Quick
“Blink are incredibly grateful to have this support from Geelong Arts Centre. In practical terms, it has enabled access to world class rehearsal and performance spaces and specialist equipment, however the real highlight has been the full commitment of the Geelong Arts Centre team, to work with us as partners, to support and nurture artistic conversations and ideas. To value the contribution of local artists and how important they are in enriching the creative ecology.”

Key dates

  • Online Q&A session: 4:00pm Friday 25 June
  • Applications open: 9:00am Monday 28 June
  • Applications close: 5:00pm Sunday 25 July
  • Selected projects notified: Thursday 26 August

Ignition

Ignition grants are designed for projects that are in the early stages of creation and need support in transitioning from creative development to preparation for presentation.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • Cash contribution up to $5,000
  • Access to performance and rehearsal studio spaces (maximum of 76 hours)
  • Access to co-working and meeting spaces
  • Mentoring sessions with leading practitioners

Jump Start

Do you have a burning idea that you are keen to explore? We’re offering once off Jump Start cash grants and access to performance and co-working spaces for innovative concepts to play and explore their ideas further.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • Cash contribution up to $1,000
  • Access to performance and rehearsal studio spaces (maximum of 38 hours)
  • Access to co-working and meeting spaces

Place to Make

Whether you need space for workshops, concept development or networking, the Place to Make initiative is designed to offer a testing ground for creatives and companies to sample and refine ideas.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • Access to performance and rehearsal studio spaces (maximum of 38 hours)
  • Access to co-working and meeting spaces

About Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine

Launched in October 2019, Creative Engine supports Geelong Arts Centre’s strategic vision to build sustainable arts practices within regional Victoria and become ‘The Creative Heart of Geelong: an artery between creative industries and community to global thinking and extraordinary experiences.’

In addition to grants and support initiatives, Creative Engine provides access to workshops, masterclasses, industry forums and networking events for the creative community of Geelong.

Creative Engine will offer regular grant rounds to invest in emerging projects produced by those with a strong connection to the Greater Geelong region. After a particularly challenging year for regional artists, Geelong Arts Centre is proud to provide financial and value-in-kind grants that will ultimately support both local artists and audiences in creating and consuming wonderful new works.

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine is proud to have already supported a number of works by local creatives including contemporary dance company Blink Dance Theatre, dynamic performing arts entity Bravo Arts, and Gunditjmara theatre-maker Tom Molyneux.

Learn more about development of works supported by Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine

Learn more about the Creative Engine program and current opportunities