By Cam Lucadou-Wells
CASEY Council’s Bunjil Place has been granted $100,000 in state funding to attract major arts groups such as The Australian Ballet.
Casey mayor Sam Aziz said the Creative Suburbs funds would help deliver one of the main aims of the under-construction arts and civic centre – to boost arts participation in the region.
As part of the council’s submission, the arts groups will possibly engage with the community in a series of workshops and then perform the works at Bunjil Place.
Possible collaborations included The Australian Ballet’s dance education ensemble working with 500 local students, or a drama project that will share the stories of Casey residents.
Casey councillor and arts spokesman Wayne Smith said the initiative showed the potential opportunities created by Bunjil Place.
“Programs like this will connect local and professional organisations together with the community to create engaging and meaningful, arts, cultural and entertainment experiences that will be available to more of our residents.”
As part of the Creative Suburbs program’s first round, Casey and eight other outer metropolitan councils shared more than $850,000.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said the program filled a long-standing gap in state cultural funding.
“Whether you live in the city, suburbs or regions, creativity brings enormous social, cultural and economic benefits – and everyone, everywhere, is entitled and encouraged to make the most of it.”
Bunjil Place is expected to open in late 2017.
