August 7, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced that experienced Gippsland artist Lee Darroch will be awarded a Regional Artist Development Fellowship from the Australian Government.
Ms Darroch, from Raymond Island, will receive a $30,000 Indigenous Institutional Development Fellowship, which supports placement for a regional artist or arts worker at an Australian arts institution.
The placement can include formal training, mentoring with institutional leaders or a work placement. Ms Darroch will work with the Koori Heritage Trust on series of traditional possum and kangaroo cloaks that will be gifted to the organisation.
Mr Chester congratulated Lee on her achievement and wished her all the best for this valuable development opportunity.
“This Coalition Government funding will support Lee to take up a residency with the Koori Heritage Trust in Melbourne, playing an important role in strengthening awareness of Australia’s rich indigenous heritage and preserving it for future generations,” Mr Chester said.
Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC has announced the recipients of five Regional Artist Development Fellowships which will support artists and arts workers in rural and regional areas across Australia to undertake professional and creative development.
Total funding of $125,000 will be shared between the five artists to pursue valuable experiences outside their communities in other regions, metropolitan areas and internationally.
Senator Brandis reinforced the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting the professional development of regional artists and promoting a vibrant and resilient arts sector.
“These fellowships are helping regional artists to overcome some of the additional barriers in accessing opportunities in their professional arts practice and will inspire new creative directions in their chosen art form,” Senator Brandis said.
“The recipients will use the fellowships to partner with and learn from established artists and cultural institutions in Australia and or overseas.”
Two fellowships focus on increasing collaboration between arts institutions and raising the profile of regional arts practice through a placement in a state or national institution.
Three fellowships will promote artistic creative development by supporting artists from rural and regional Australia to participate in further study, training or mentorships programs.
“The fellowships will build recognition of the work of these regional artists nationally and internationally and deliver long-term benefits to the cultural life of their communities,” he said.
The Regional Artist Development Fellowships are administered by Regional Arts Australia and further information is available on their website.