DLGSC and Lotterywest Creative Communities COVID-19 Recovery Program – coming soon

The arts play a significant role in supporting communities to tackle disruption and re-establish local connection, strength and resilience beyond the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In partnership with Lotterywest, the Department is developing a $5m Creative Communities Recovery Program.

The Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman announced this program on 6 August 2020 as part of the WA Recovery Plan for culture and the arts.

The Program is supported by the principles of Community, Connection and Collaboration and it will be a catalyst for recovery within communities across the State.

It is modelled on a community focused artist-in-residence program that engages children and families and will be delivered in partnership with either a local government authority, local school, or community group.

The program will support the small to medium arts sector and independent artists and it will deliver up to 100 residencies and provide employment opportunities for approximately 350 artists.

The program prioritises projects that engage children and their families, and young people that:

• are experiencing high levels of social, health and/ or economic impact due to COVID-19
• have limited or low access to arts and cultural programs
• are located in regional or remote Western Australia
• reflect the diverse communities in the State.

The program will be open to all communities across Western Australia and provide valuable employment opportunities for individual artists to activate community spaces and deliver broad community benefits.

It will bring people together, connecting artists with communities and providing a platform for stories to be told and shared.

Now more than ever, the positive social and cultural impact a program like this can deliver for WA will be an essential part of the community’s healing process. 

More details will be available soon. DLGSC are currently working on the guidelines for the program which will comprise two categories with a view to announcing the first category this month.

Contact DLGSC culture and the arts grants programs on 6552 7400 or grantsprogramsca@dlgsc.wa.gov.au for further information.