The arts and cultural scene in Melbourne’s western suburbs is receiving a boost, in the form of a $2.3 million fund to support local artists and events in the region.
Creative industries parliamentary secretary and Footscray MP Katie Hall announced the Go West Fund on Friday, March 24, supporting a number of flagship festivals to host events at local venues and creating more jobs for local artists and workers.
Kicking off the Go West activities, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is bringing shows featuring the likes of Bob Franklin, Andrew Hansen, Suren Jayamanne and Celia Pacquola to venues throughout the west as part of this year’s program, with comedy performance and writing workshops coming later this year.
Other events will include the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in October, Footscray’s own Snuff Puppets hosting a festival at the Footscray Drill Hall in September and the Women’s Circus staging their work Momentum in St Albans in November.
Melbourne Fringe will present a program out west involving local creatives at its 2023 and 2024 festivals, while queer photography festival Midsumma showcasing 10 new major public artworks next year, Born in a Taxi will perform a new show and Western Edge Youth Arts will launch New Voices for the West, which will support a young west-based playwright to create an original work.
Ms Hall said the program will deliver more cultural and creative content across Melbourne’s western suburbs, supporting jobs and boosting local businesses in hospitality, retail and beyond.
“Melbourne’s west is growing rapidly and in times of change, art and creativity can play a powerful role in connecting people, boosting economic activity and contributing to community wellbeing,” she said.
“The west is already home to a vibrant creative scene so if you’re from the west, get set for even more events, festivals and experiences right in your own backyard.”
