Arts and culture fans in regional Victoria will experience world-class performances, exhibitions and unmissable creative opportunities in their local venues thanks to the state government’s Touring Victoria program.
Creative Industries Minister Ben Carroll is encouraging organisations to apply for the latest round of the program, which provides grants of between $10,000 and $250,000 to support tours by Victorian arts and cultural organisations and creatives.
Touring Victoria enables Victorian artists to hit the road and connect with regional audiences, ensuring arts and culture fans in regional, rural and outer-metropolitan Victoria have access to the best productions, performances and exhibitions close to home. Touring activity also provides an economic boost to the towns and regions they visit.
The 2022 Touring Victoria round provided more than $800,000 to enable some of the country’s top arts organisations to present productions, workshops, exhibitions and creative experiences across the state – this activity is rolling out throughout 2023.
With support through the program, The Australian Ballet is visiting five Victorian communities including Mooroopna and Warragul this month and in August. As well as presenting performances, the ballet will offer in-school activities, ballet classes, sessions on production management, and opportunities for work experience.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will visit eight regional centres, including Bendigo and Warrnambool, with programs tailored to each community.
The Koorie Heritage Trust is touring Layers of Blak, an exhibition of contemporary jewellery by First Nations designers, to galleries including Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Mildura Arts Centre and TarraWarra Museum of Art.
As well as ensuring audiences across the state have access to the best productions, performances and exhibitions, the Touring Victoria program supports community and education activities including talks and Q&As, school and library programs and professional development opportunities for local artists and creative workers.
Applications for the latest round of Touring Victoria close on Thursday, July 27, with activities to commence from 1 December 2023. For details on how to apply and to see the full list of 2022 Touring Victoria recipients visit: creative.vic.gov.au/touring-victoria.
Mr Carroll said the Touring Victoria program has a long history of bringing first-rate artistic productions to audiences across the state – inspiring audiences, stimulating local economies, and providing opportunities for local creatives.
“The program complements our investment in Victoria’s world-class regional creative venues, organisations and artists, and ensures that wherever you live in the state you can enjoy a wide range of fantastic creative experiences,” he said.
