Creative projects focused on ageing, mental health and connecting Australians are among the works funded by the Australia Council.

The Australia Council’s latest grant round invests $6.5 million in 186 projects, to be delivered by 131 individual artists or groups, and 55 small to medium arts organisations.

Australia Council Executive Director, Grants and Engagement, Frank Panucci explained that, combined with high artistic quality, many of the projects funded in this round have a strong community focus.

“Around one-third of the successful applicants nominated audience engagement or access and participation in the arts as primary outcomes of their project, reflecting the Australia Council’s strategic aim of connecting Australian’s through creativity,” he said.

“Now more than ever the arts and creativity have a critical role in bringing communities together.”

Among the 186 diverse projects funded, the grants will support:

• A community project by Everybody NOW! Ltd, which explores age, ageing and agelessness by connecting seniors and children.
• Big hART’s SKATE Halfpipe – a new touring work designed to reach out to young people in the mental health space.
• Theatre director Sarah Austin  to deliver unique theatre experiences designed for babies and their parents/carers.

The Australia Council received a total of 1,268 applications for this grant round which were peer assessed by panels made up of more than 100 industry experts from across the country.

Applications for the next grants round close 4 February 2020.

If you were intending to apply to the February grant round and you or your community has been impacted by the bushfire crisis, please contact us.

Image credit: Sarah Austin and Co (Image: Ilona Nelson)