More than $727,000 in funding has been awarded in the first round of applications, with 226 applicants receiving grants of up to $4,000 each.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the City of Melbourne is committed to supporting our artistic community while COVID-19 restrictions are in effect.
"Melbourne's artistic community contributes greatly to our economy and is a core part of our city's heart and soul," the Lord Mayor said.
"We've received more than 1600 applications for funding to create new artistic works or to stream performances online. We know supporting artists through this period is so important to our city's economic and cultural recovery.
"We will provide grants for up to 500 artists, performers and small arts organisations. We have been overwhelmed by the number and calibre of the applications we have received."
Highlights from the first round of successful applicants include funding towards:
- An online exhibition of hand embroidered art of flora and fauna by Joshua Weatherlake;
- A live lounge room dance jam and workshops for kids from Joseph O'Farrell;
- The production of a series of short films by Sarah Barton showcasing disability rights pioneers;
- A stop-motion virtual reality project by Isabel Peppard exploring the complexities of love.
Chair of the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, Councillor Rohan Leppert, said the level of creativity shown in the first round of applications was impressive.
"Melbourne's artistic community has been hit hard by the financial impacts of COVID-19, with thousands of cancellations and lost opportunities," Cr Leppert said.
"The aim of these grants is to provide some relief to artists and arts organisations, and to support them in exploring new ways of sharing their creativity."
Applications for the arts grants officially closed today. Future successful applicants will be notified in the coming weeks.
For more information about the City of Melbourne's arts grants visit our arts grants website. For more information about the City of Melbourne's business support initiatives visit our dedicated business support page.