COHUNA will look to transform itself when it applies for funding for artistic projects to connect people and place.
The Cohuna and District Progress Association has begun brainstorming big ideas to submit a proposal in the Regional Arts Victoria’s Small Town Transformation program.
The program offers $350,000 for the six strongest creative proposals that will deliver cultural, social and economic benefits to their town. Projects can use a wide range of creative forms, from design to performance, game development, film-making and visual arts.
The program, which is part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million regional arts package in the 2015/16 State Budget, is open to towns with a population of 2000 people or less.
Association special events co-ordinator, Jodie Hay said 20 community members attended a brainstorm session on Saturday.
“We are really at the early stages; but some great ideas were thrown around,” Mrs Hay said.
“Some ideas include using the unused red brick building next to the secondary college for a variety of art-related activities.”
A second meeting was held on Wednesday, with future meetings to be confirmed via the “Get Your Backside Creekside – Cohuna” Facebook page.
“It will determine whether we can come up with a solid need for our town and whether this program can be used to achieve it,” Mrs Hay said.
“We will need a dedicated group of town champions to drive this project, be it with small or larger roles.”
Progress president, Sonia Wright said ideas included theatrical performances and large cultural sculptures to connect people with their locality.
“This provides an opportunity for residents, who may not be sporty, to express themselves with public spaces.”
Previous winning towns include Dookie, which transformed a quarry into an open-air arts venue, Natimuk, which turned a nature strip into a community arts space and Neerim South, whose townspeople created a giant new sculpture to mark the town entrance.
“I guess the silo painting in Brim is a classic example of how art can transform a town,” Mrs Hay said.
Expressions of interest close on February 26, with short-listed applicants invited to submit a full application.
Successful projects will commence in August and end in October 2018.
