BACKING ARTISTS AND BRINGING NEW CREATIVE PROJECTS TO LIFE IN HEPBURN

The Allan Labor Government is backing the local artists and creative workers who are the lifeblood of the state’s $41 billion creative industries sector, through the latest round of the Creative Projects Fund.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Hepburn Shire artists Marcelle Bradbeer, Bek Saltmarsh, Aleks Danko and Irene Holub are among 115 recipients that will share in more than $1.5 million in grants to support diverse projects spanning design, dance, literature, film, fashion, visual arts and music, which will create more than 1,000 job opportunities for Victorians.

• Fine art photographer Marcelle Bradbeer has received an Uncovering Talent grant that will support the project Climate Adaptation Photography Project: Fish Factory
Residency & Exhibition. This will support Marcelle to participate in a residency at Fish Factory in Iceland to document climate-adaptive living through photography. The
project will culminate in an exhibition in Victoria.

• Bek Saltmarsh has received an Uncovering Talent grant to support Un-weaving Uniformity, a project that seeks to reclaim and subvert the visual language of school
uniform, by recreating its plaid using a combination of traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques and loom weaving.

• Aleks Danko has received a Projects grant to support material and production costs for A(GAP)E - A Verklempt Snare exhibition at McClelland Sculpture Park+ Gallery in
2026.

• Irene Holub has received a Projects grant to support producing and performing Manifesto of Silences - 1880, an experimental opera exploring the impact of the 1881
Milan Conference on the deaf community, engaging diverse audiences and driving innovation in performance

The Creative Projects Fund supports Victorian artists, creative collectives and small businesses to bring their projects to life. Grants back the development of new creative work, projects that drive innovation, professional development and career-making opportunities, and initiatives to reach new audiences and markets.

To increase equity of access to these opportunities and ensure projects reflect the diversity of Victorians, the latest round of the program included streams for First Peoples and Deaf and Disabled creatives, and a separate focus area for creatives who have not previously received Creative Victoria funding

One third of the recipients are based in regional or outer-metropolitan areas.

Funded projects are also set to drive innovation and sustainability in sectors such as retail, fashion and textiles. From the development of a modular, relocatable retail fit-out prototype to a fashion swatch library that combines tactile samples with QR-coded digital resources.

The grants will also support new works of literature, fashion collections, an array of theatre, dance, music and theatre productions, exhibitions, and creative experiences designed for children.

Victoria’s creative economy provides employment to more than 327,000 workers – from performers and producers to designers, editors, technicians and beyond. Behind every worker is a family – and that’s why we’re backing the people who power our creative state. For more information and the full list of grant recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“The Creative Projects Fund is a welcome investment in Hepburn’s creative talent. It supports local jobs, fosters innovation and brings our stories to life.”

“Congratulations to all of our local recipients – I look forward to seeing their projects take shape and the positive impact they will have on our community.”‍

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"The Creative Projects Fund is part of our work to back the careers of local artists and creative workers, foster new ideas and voices, and bring diverse creative opportunities to Victorians of all ages, across the state.”

“Victoria is home to so many incredible artists, designers, filmmakers, writers, performers and many other creatives, whose talent, persistence and hard work fuel our creative industries and our vibrant cultural life.”

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