This generous grant of $50,000 will enable MAV to work with artists and communities from emerging refugee, culturally diverse and Indigenous backgrounds in outer metropolitan and regional localities of Brimbank, Wyndham, Swan Hill and Shepparton.
Over the next year, MAV will work with emerging artists and communities, local governments and cultural organisations in each municipality to collaboratively develop and deliver a cultural leadership program that responds to local needs and builds on local strengths. Emerge Cultural Leadership will foster new cultural leaders from emerging communities and help strengthen engagement and dialogue between cultures. It will also make more visible and celebrate the achievements of local emerging refugee, culturally diverse and Indigenous communities. The core activities will include artistic mentoring, seeding new cultural projects and enterprises, cultural management and creative industries workshops, and an Ambassadors program.
‘MAV is very grateful for this support that acknowledges the priority of cultural and social values and the role the arts play as a tool for positive social change. This funding is especially an exciting opportunity for the two regional communities involved, Shepparton and Swan Hill’ says George Lekakis AO, Chair of Multicultural Arts Victoria. ’For regional communities in particular, infrastructure and isolation are amplified and impact greatly on the ability of our artists and communities to access and participate in the arts, and to develop and celebrate their cultures and creative practices with the wider community.’
The program aligns with Gandel Foundation’s mission statement, to empower communities to deliver programs that will create a positive and lasting impact on their quality of life, as well as to help build stronger, more resilient, more vibrant and more inclusive communities.
‘Through supporting, encouraging and developing new cultural leaders and strengthening cross cultural networks and community infrastructure, we hope that this program can help promote cultural dialogue and build community spirit,’ said Vedran Drakulic, CEO of Gandel Foundation.
‘This grant from Gandel Foundation will be a great opportunity to build on the work of our Cultural Network in outer metro and regional Victoria. We have found that a long-term approach is required to build trust, to build a sense of community and to build capacity for collective action and empowerment. We look forward to working closely with our new communities through the support by Gandel Foundation,’ says Jill Morgan AM, CEO Multicultural Arts Victoria.
For further information please contact Trinidad Estay, outer metropolitan Program Coordinator or Anita Larkin, Regional Program Coordinator 03 9188 3681