The grants support sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia.

Over $1 million in funding will be shared across 44 creative projects, distributed to unique locations spanning regional centres, rural towns, and remote communities throughout Australia.

Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters today visited the Castlemaine State Festival, who received $25,000 for their new stage production, Castlemaine – The Musical.

An original production, Castlemaine – The Musical is designed to be a light-hearted celebration of all things Castlemaine, highlighting the work of volunteers in the arts, land care, the emergency services, and the various advocacy groups that make up the town.

Other successful local projects include:

• Things of Foam and Wood (Kyneton) will develop the art series Blowies, which oversees the creation of large-scale puppet replicas of Central Victorian flies. These characters will be presented in dynamic settings to intersect art, sport, and flies.
  
  
• Tara Gilbee (Fryerstown) will receive funding to deliver workshops for Red Shed in Newstead, utilising skills acquired through a professional development and research exchange in relation to ecological and sustainable creative practices.

For more information on the latest recipients and their projects, visit: https://regionalarts.com.au/regional-arts-fund/awarded-grants


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“As the MP for a regional electorate like Bendigo, the diversity in experiences and stories is something that really stands out.

“It is wonderful to see the Castlemaine State Festival bouncing back and that they have been successful in this round of the Regional Arts Fund.

“Funding these local arts projects demonstrates again how committed the Federal Labor Government is to giving local creatives the opportunity to pursue their artistic endeavours, regardless of their background.”