Artists encouraged to apply for grants to assist through the pandemic crisis

ARTISTS offering everything from children’s music workshops, to tutorials on paper stop-motion animation and performances by drag artists are among the successful applicants awarded under the Creative Wollongong Quick Response grants.

Wollongong City Council announced the funding grants program on April 23, as a way of providing financial support for local artists who have been impacted by coronavirus pandemic, and were unable to work and earn an income.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbury said creative people have found themselves out of work, or unable to work, with their performance spaces, venues, studios and galleries closed in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.

“Council is looking at diverse ways to support our community through this challenging time, and this quick response grants program was a way to provide financial support for creative people across our community,” Cr Bradbury said.

“The grants are for the development of new work in any media and they’re for performances and activities that can be shared with the public now, and in the future. We had 49 applications, with 22 successful applicants announced today from this first round of funding.’’

Following the level of community interest, Council has increased the funding program by a further $20,000, with almost all of the $30,000 from the first round allocated.

“We’ve had some terrific and very diverse applications and I thank all those who took the time to fill in the form, and share some of their creativity with us,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

The one-off Creative Wollongong Quick Response Grants for arts and performance are valued at up to $1500. They include a digital sharing option so artists can offer an online performance or workshop that will be shared on a Council platform. There is also an option to receive an additional $500 and perform at a Council event within the following 24 months.

Applications close on Thursday May 21. For more information visit Council’s Creative Wollongong Quick Response Grants page.

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