July 22nd, 2025Getting creative
The state 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 has 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.
