Esther Lauaki
Arts in Wyndham will suffer in the wake of the pandemic if funding is not increased, a local advocate has warned.
Various arts and cultural groups presented to last week’s council meeting putting forward projects in need of funding as part of the 2020-21 budget.
The 15 submissions included a call to make a move on the proposed acquisition of Melbourne Water Discovery Centre to use as a regional art gallery, a bid for $10,000 financial assistance for the L2R dance school, and a cultural arts hub to showcase diverse artforms.
Angela Hickey, of Wyndham Arts Advocacy Group, believed the council needed to spend more in the field to make Wyndham a desirable destination for artists to live in.
“I’m of the view that funding of the arts in Wyndham is being reduced in real terms and the arts in Wyndham will suffer if funding is not increased,”Ms Hickey wrote in her submission.
“I feel that the arts sector in Wyndham has made great strides over the years and it’s something that our community should be proud of.
“My review of the budget indicates that in real terms, spending on the arts is going backwards.
“At some point, these cuts in real funding to the arts has to hurt the provision of the arts in Wyndham.
“Wyndham has an opportunity to grab the artist population with its affordable housing and great quality of life… a strong arts sector will help drive that.”
Jacinda Richards, of not-for-profit L2R Dance, asked the council to allocate $10,000 to reduce the school’s reliance on private philanthropy.
She said the money would support the delivery of free weekly dance workshops to vulnerable children and young people living in Wyndham, as well as assist core operations of L2R.
“This money will be crucial in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure we can continue to support the Wyndham community with our various activities and programs,” Ms Richards said.
Werribee resident Sumitra Puri proposed a Wyndham ‘Culture Hill’, modelled on Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill, which would be a place to celebrate all cultures, their art forms, textiles, lifestyles, traditions, customs and the festivities across the diverse community.
“I run an Indian theatre in Wyndham and while working on cultural themes of India in our drama shows and I thought it would be great to have a space, one particular space, to which our artists can call their home,”Ms Sumitra said.
