As part of Wyndham City’s ongoing commitment to support local artists and development of new creative work locally, we have supported a range of Creative Development Grants.
The purpose of the Creative Development Grant is to support the creation of new work by local Wyndham creatives within the local community; with a focus on developing a creative community project, business and/or practice. This funding supports the research, scoping and testing of new creative work across all sectors of Creative Industries and is open to individuals and/or groups. Applicants must be Wyndham residents.
The applications received were diverse and crossed many different platforms. We’re very pleased to announce our seven Creative Development Grant recipients for 2024:
Thembelani Khumalo - As an African Australian music artist affiliated with Graded Solutions, an independent music label based in Wyndham Vale, Thembelani’ s project aims to create and promote Afro beats music within the local community.
Wintana Kidane - Will support the development of an innovative media platform aimed at creating engaging and inspiring content that resonates with Black and Brown communities in Australia, providing a safe space to spotlight their stories and experiences through podcasts and online content.
CEEBS - This project will support research and development of the comedy web series 'CEEBS', to be undertaken by Wyndham-based creator, writer, performers Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule. This process will inform the completion of 17x 1-minute episodic scripts for production in the later half of 2024 and include a table read of the series open for our creative community to attend.
Meredith Jones - Will support participation in a workshop and mentoring to learn resin moulding and casting techniques, as well as pay for equipment and materials to independently produce a line of resin cast art toys.
Max Lazaridis – A contribution towards development of a short film which explores the duality of identity and the concept of parallel universes through a visual journey of an individual evolving when wearing outfits designed by Max.
Rod Pilois – Will support research and development of new musical works in contemporary music and world music styles, such as African, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern and Latin-American styles.
Jasmeet Kaur Sahi, Amal Laala & Zoe Jones – Will support research and community outreach aimed at the forming a west-based artist-led collective with an online presence and to explore the scope of gathering and sharing in-person and online resources and programs in the shape of creative workshops, labs and networking events for artists of the west.
Creative Development Grants 22/23 Recipients
Bittersweet Productions - an emerging media production platform. They have been operating as a podcast channel for over 3 years, sharing their experiences as Black women navigating life in Australia and sharing the stories of established and emerging creatives and inspiring individuals in the diaspora, with an aim to create a sense of belonging and relatability. The develop funds will be directed towards research, benchmarking and output expansion with an aim to creating a greater reach and impact.
Ammar Yonis - To support the development of a short film created by local creatives.
Rachel Morley - Expand Rachel’s practice as a visual artist to explore public art and develop participatory artworks in her local community in Tarneit. Funding for mentorship and time towards research and the establishment of partnerships for future projects.
John Mathet - To develop an ongoing art program for young people aged 12-25, residing in Wyndham and working through Youth Services.
Creative Development Grants 21/22 Recipients
- Jumess Dinanga – Around The Black Chair: Funding towards photoshoot and printing costs of images for a new exhibition titled Black Boys Blues.
- Connor Overden-Shaw – Skills development: Focus on the technical aspect of sewing and garment construction, learning and understanding the machine and how to create patterns. With a view to creating a photography work using garments developed.
- Clive Gono – Public Art Mentorship: To undertake a mentorship in Public Art making with two mentors.
- Melissa Murphy-Vella – Raku Firing Program - Develop Raku Firing (Ceramics) technics and program for Wyndham residents
- Xiang Li - A River Runs Through It - In support of an upcoming exhibition, the grant will be used for research, artist time in creation, a short video that documents the art project to engage the audience
- L2R Dance – Girl Gang – Development of a dance group in Wyndham for young women.
- Sagalee Aba-Omer – LOCATIONest Equipment purchases to support work. Contribution towards purchase of specialised equipment to support practice development and advancement of a photography project title LOCATIONest.