Creatives in the Yarra Valley are set to come together at the local gallery and creative hub for years to come, with upgraded infrastructure and equipment supporting new opportunities for the long-running gallery to grow, thanks to support from the Labor Government.
Creative Industries minister Colin Brooks announced a $55,000 grant on Saturday 2 December for not-for-profit, volunteer-based arts organisation Yarra Valley Arts which runs the creative venue and meeting place, YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub.
“Creative spaces like this can have great social, cultural and economic benefits for a region, its people and creative industries. We’re proud to invest in this exciting new chapter for Yarra Valley Arts and help ensure creative work is more accessible for everybody to enjoy,” he said.
The Labor Government is delivering on this promise it made to Victorians at last year’s election and the grant will provide upgrades to the façade of the building, new retail facilities to showcase the work of YAVA artists, equipment upgrades, and a revamped multi-purpose space for workshops, classes and more.
It will also support the organisation to host a series of creative activities for community members, professional development sessions for local creatives, and dedicated training and skills building opportunities for volunteers – attracting more visitors and expanding its audiences.
The funding will help Yarra Valley Arts strengthen its connections with artists and boost its revenue streams through new retail and programming offerings.
“YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub is a much-loved part of our creative and cultural life here in the Yarra Valley. We’re thrilled to support this valued asset, backing the incredible artists and volunteers who contribute so much to our community,” Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said.
This project aligns with the Government’s Creative State 2025, the creative industries strategy, which includes a focus on ensuring Victorians in regional areas have access to quality creative experiences and opportunities to pursue creative careers.
Yarra Valley Arts has been supporting local artists for over thirty years.
For more information on the YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub visit www.yava.org.au
