News

What’s in the VIC budget for the arts?

Money for cultural infrastructure, First Peoples touring and engagement, live music and the screen sector was included in the 2022-23 Victorian budget.

4 May 2022

Richard Watts

All Arts

Melbourne’s CBD viewed from the inner west, where $8.7 million has been invested in Footscray Community Arts. Image: Shutterstock

A multi-million dollar commitment to arts and culture in Melbourne’s western suburbs was included in the 2022-23 Victorian Budget, announced on Tuesday 3 May.

The new investment includes $8.7 million for Footscray Community Arts via the $17.5 million Creative Infrastructure Program, and a $2.4 million Go West Festivals Fund, designed to encourage festivals such as Melbourne International Comedy Festival, RISING and Melbourne Fringe to stage shows and commission new works in Melbourne’s west, and showcase the creativity of local communities.

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Richard Watts

Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts