A new arts for health program is breaking new ground for Australia, bringing the arts to diverse communities across the Ballarat and Central Highlands regions.
“The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) has funded the City of Ballarat $600,000 over three years to implement the ambitious and innovative program called ‘Localities Enhancing Arts Participation’, or LEAP for short,” VicHealth Chief Executive Officer Todd Harper said.
The LEAP program will be launched in Ballarat on Thursday, 29 October, 10am at artHALL, Learmonth.
Ballarat Mayor Cr Judy Verlin said the city is ready, willing and able to implement the LEAP program in communities.
“Ballarat is leaping in to a brave new world connecting the arts to our local communities. We will be using web and digital technologies to map and promote cultural activities across the region.
“Working with five other councils across the Central Highlands, Ballarat is also building new connections between the arts community and other sectors like schools, people in sports and a range of workplaces,” Cr Verlin added.
“The 2.2 million dollar arts-funding program is aiming to breath new life into local communities in three significant areas across Victoria, the regions of Mildura, Ballarat and the City of Casey in south east Melbourne”, Harper said.
“The Cities of Mildura, Ballarat and Casey are breaking new ground in Australia, making sure that their communities get the best chances to participate in arts activities. From new technologies to cooperation between arts bodies, workplaces and sports, this program is state of the art.
“Evidence shows that when community participation in social and arts activity is high, there is reduced crime, increased employment rates and enhanced educational performance.
“Arts participation is linked to social, cultural and economic benefit to local communities.
“There is also strong evidence that mental health and wellbeing is improved amongst individuals who participate in social networks and activities in the arts like singing, music, dancing or theatre groups,” Mr Harper said.
The City of Ballarat is excited to be working with Ararat Rural City Council, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees Shires in bringing arts to our communities, Cr. Verlin said.
“We are establishing a Central Highland Arts Network to map and promote cultural activities across the region using groundbreaking technological tools, to assist in identifying target areas and populations across six shires for future engagement,” Cr Verlin said.
“We will also be establishing a professional program engaging professional artists and companies in physical on-the-ground residencies to maximise community participation in creative activities and engage with diverse cultural experiences.
“This program heralds a new era for Ballarat and the Central Highlands region, uncovering our creative pulse and engaging community participation to create expressions of our regional culture,” Cr Verlin said.
Ballarat City Council will also work with VicHealth and the School of Population Health at the University of Melbourne on a ground-breaking study to design, record and evaluate, over a three year period, the benefits that participating in the arts have on health.