The ACT Government has awarded more than $350,000 to Canberra creatives to develop and promote their work.

The second round of 2022 of Arts Activities ($5k-$50k) funding will go to artists, authors, musicians, dance and theatre performers, arts workers, and other creative practitioners.

Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for the Arts, congratulated the 16 successful applicants.

“This $5,000 to $50,000 Arts Activities funding round was very competitive, and I am impressed with the rich variety of ideas and practices supported in this round,” Ms Cheyne said.

“This round demonstrates how explorative and diverse arts practices are developing in the ACT. It’s fantastic to see so many multidisciplinary activities, initiated by and engaging artists at different stages in their career.”

Award-winning poet/artist Zhi Yi Cham will receive $29,440 to undertake a mentorship and to research and develop a collection of memoir and poetry works.

Recording/performing artist and producer Sam Sly will receive $23,225 for the recording, promotion, and release of a six-track chronological, conceptual EP release.

“I am so grateful to be receiving the artsACT Funding for my debut EP,” Ms Sly said. “This funding gives me the opportunity to fully realise my music and collaborate with industry professionals that would normally be out of my reach.

“I am so excited to put out a body of work that feels truest to myself and my sound, and is something I am very proud of. I am so thankful to artsACT, and can’t wait to start working on this project and to progress further as an artist.”

Stuart McMillen will receive $17,430 to draw the artwork for the final chapter of his non-fiction comic book (graphic novel) The Town Without Television, which is set to be published in 2025.

“I am so glad to receive this funding from artsACT,” Mr McMillen said. “This grant will allow me to push forward with the next stages of work.

“This project has an international audience, and this artsACT grant will help to take my career to new levels.”

This initiative will provide $359,232.

Arts Activities funding ($5,000 to $50,000) is open twice a year, and provides funding to Canberra-based artists and arts groups for one-off projects. Applications are peer assessed. The next round of funding opens on 1 December.

For more information, go to www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/arts-activities-funding

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