The Fountain Room at the West Gippsland Arts Centre is so named for the fountain that once bubbled underneath the adjacent staircase.

I learnt this from Rob Robson, Manager Arts and Culture at Baw Baw Shire. At a meeting of the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (or VAPAC for the initiated) in Warragul this month, Rob reflected on the recently completed refurbishment works – a job, Rob noted, that began in 1982 when the original Centre opened.

The building of both physical and community infrastructure is a long game. In Regional Arts Victoria’s case, it has taken 50 years to build to where we are today.

It also requires long-term partnerships, like that we’ve enjoyed with VAPAC for decades now, and individual contributors like Rob to advise, vision and scheme – not just for their own time, but for those who will succeed them. So much work, and so much of it behind-the-scenes.

Just bubbling away, underneath the stairs.

Joe Toohey
CEO

And the Winner is...

The Programming team are delighted to announce the Melbourne Fringe Market Ready Award recipient for 2019 is…

Game Boys Cinematic Universe by Game Boys

Join brothers Eden and Josh — your personal guides for the world famous Game Boys Studios Backlot Tour! Try your luck as a studio executive and greenlight the next Norbit! Wet-your-pants in excitement at the live-action Stunt Show! Come face to face with a terrifying T-Rex! Following an award nominated, sold out season at MICF, Game Boys Cinematic Universe is the 5th original Game Boys show and their second to receive a nomination at MICF for Best Independent Production (Golden Gibbo - 2017, 2019).

Each year Regional Arts Victoria offers the Market Ready recipient mentoring on becoming the bestest, most professional regional touring company they can possibly be, free tickets and hosting at Showcase Victoria, networking with venues, general support in their long-term touring goals, free membership to Regional Arts Victoria and all our professional development events across the next 12 months.

Meg Viney-Bell Aggiartoq's Vestment. Image by Trevor Foon.

Meg Viney-Bell Fibre Arts Fellowship closes 30 October 2019

The Meg Viney-Bell Fellowship supports Gippsland artists practising with fibre art. Artists wishing to grow their practice, develop new works and learn new skills are encouraged to apply.

Apply now

2020 Community Presenter Mentorships applications open 15 October 2019

Regional Arts Victoria are offering five community presenters a 12 month mentorship to help further their presenting practice. Community presenters wanting to expand their skills will be matched with experienced presenters and other professionals as mentors.

Find out more

Arts Connect is coming to Rochester

Arts Connect Rochester: Storytelling & Community is a one-day event featuring discussions about developing creative practice, telling great stories, building a sense of place and strategic planning. You'll get to meet other creative people in your local area and share ideas in a day of collaborative learning. Register now.

Find out more

Partnerships

Find out more about projects support supported by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund. The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund is provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.

The Printed Garden Project and Workshops (15th, 21st & 25th October 2019)

As part of the NATI Frinj Biennale, The Printed Garden: Naturefact Artifact is the development and presentation of new prints made with found objects and botanical specimens of the Wimmera led by Jenny Peterson. Read more about the exhibition and workshops.

Once and For All

Combining music with storytelling, Once and For All is an event in two parts exploring and relating stories from the past found in historical records and contributed by the people of Natimuk. Part of the NATI Frinj Biennale, the event will begin with a walking tour of Natimuk Cemetery and continues in the Lutheran Church Hall where the event transforms into a performance that weaves together music, poetry and sculpture responding to ideas of temporality and mortality. Read more.

Second Coming

Playwright Andrew Kelly’s first season of Second Coming tells the story of failed rock star Jim Rowan who takes his own life at the dawn of the new millennium, year 2000. Through a chance meeting with a shady character in purgatory, Jim wagers an opportunity to re-live his life knowing then what he didn’t know now. Using Australian rock music as a vehicle, Second Coming is driven by the story of Jim Rowan’s rise to stardom, and his fight for survival. Read more and get your tickets here.

Programming

ACTF Fellowship opens 11 November

The Trustees of the Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation (ACTF) and Regional Arts Victoria are delighted to announce the 2020 Joan and Betty Rayner ACTF Fellowship. This Fellowship will support the development of the artistic practice of an artist to the amount of $20,000 and is open to emerging or established artists working in children’s theatre and to those wishing to diversify their practice into and across the field of theatre for young audiences.

Expressions of Interest for the Fellowship will open on Monday 11 November 2019. Applications will close Friday 31 January 2020.

For more information contact Pippin Davies, Arts & Education Manager at Regional Arts Victoria (pdavies@rav.net.au).

Opportunities

First Peoples Investment Program (Pilot) closes 31 December

Festivals Australia Funding closes 18 October

Expressions of Interest for new Creative Industries Advisory Committee closes 25 October

Blak LAB Expressions of Interest closes 13 October

Cultivate for 2020: Women’s leadership program applications now open

Events

Until 20 October – Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB)

2–20 October – Melbourne International Arts Festival

13 October – Geelong Jazz Soirées with Amelia Evans

15 October – Victorian Museums & Galleries Forum ‘The Healthy Museum’

19 October – Arts Connect Rochester: Storytelling and Community

23–26 October – Future Echoes festival, Arts Centre Melbourne

1–3 November – NATI Frinj Biennale

2 November – Glenmaggie Country Rock Festival

9–10 November – Broadside presented by The Wheeler Centre