By Parker McKenzie
A new collective for creatives and artists in the hills is calling for interested locals to participate in an AGM on Wednesday 15 February.
Formed with seed funding from Cardinia Council through the Community Wellbeing Stream, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hills Arts Alliance aims to connect and support creative workers within the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley “to build collective capacity.”
Founding member Phil Byers said one of the ideas was to start an organisation that can help artists with grant funding and help run artistic festivals.
“There are lots of people who continue their practice and maybe feel like they’re doing it on their own,” he said.
“To try and get the support, you might need to go for a grant and don’t know where to start.”
Members of the Hills Arts Alliance want it to be an “umbrella organisation” for arts groups and individuals to work together and progress agendas and ideas in the region, by providing support in grant writing, advice on insurance, events and resources, creating networking avenues and embracing the creative talents of people living in the hills.
Founding Committee member Jules Konda said she decided to become involved to support the arts because of a lack of studio spaces for practising artists in the hills.
“I can see the value in organisations like the Hills Arts Alliance, in terms of being a support network for artists to share information,” she said.
“Things like call-outs to artists, funding streams and events, just to keep track of it all. A lot of us miss out on opportunities because we aren’t aware of them.”
The group has been registered as an incorporated association with Consumer Affairs and will elect a committee at its first AGM in February.
Mr Byers said he encourages people to come and find out how they can be involved at the AGM.
“This concept has been dragging along because of Covid-19, when we first got the grant we wanted to get it up and running with a strong group and see what sort of response there was once a few projects launched,” he said.
“By all means, we want to encourage people to become members and join the committee down the track.”
The Hills Arts Alliance is seeking interested people to attend the AGM and nominate to join the committee of management and encourages people of all ages, gender, sexual diversity, racial, cultural and religious diversity to participate.
The AGM will be held at the Emerald Hills Hub at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15 February. More information can be found on the Hills Arts Alliance Facebook group closer to the date.
