termination of the position in June 2011. This Recommendations extension will enable assistance to be provided The Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund has to individuals and communities just emerging to made a significant contribution to the start new projects. Ideally, there should be recovery of regional Victorians three people working as Project Officers. They communities impacted by the fires of February could be set up on Murrindindi Shire Council 2009. offices, yet their work should be independent of Council. Findings from this evaluation can provide a platform upon which to build and accelerate Provide ongoing financial support the potential for similar models to be adopted With the financial support of Victorian Bushfire in the future. Appeal Fund (VBAF) coming to an end, it is The recommendations are presented on two important to consider means of funds to levels: support artists recovering in bushfire-affected communities. ! Recommendations for the current environment; and An ongoing program of support could be either from the government or not-for-profit ! Recommendations for a government art sector. response to another disaster recovery The model used by the Foundation for Rural situation. and Regional Renewal is a good example of a The current environment model that has been successful in implementing programs for bushfire affected Continue role of Project Officer for another communities. 18 months Funding has also been set aside by the This evaluation revealed that individuals–– Bushfire Recovery Advisory Panel to help and communities–– recovery at their own rate. meet medium to long term recovery needs in The recovery process was seen to neither be bushfire affected areas, with a new community neat nor predicable, and some artists are only advisory committee to provide advice to the just now ready to come forward to begin their Panel on recovery priorities. project. Additionally, for many grant recipients, the assistance and support Government may consider implementing a provided by the Project Officer was more mid- term support mechanism for people just valuable to them than the money provided starting to scope relevant arts projects two to through the Fund. three years on from the bushfires. Existing funding models or new approaches should be For these two reasons we recommend the considered to provide this ongoing financial Project Officer position be continued for support. another 18 months after the intended
Recommendations The Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund has made a significant contribution to the recovery of regional Victorians communities impacted by the fires of February 2009. Findings from this evaluation can provide a platform upon which to build and accelerate the potential for similar models to be adopted in the future. The recommendations are presented on two levels: ! Recommendations for the current environment; and ! Recommendations for a government art response to another disaster recovery situation. The current environment Continue role of Project Officer for another 18 months This evaluation revealed that individuals–– and communities–– recovery at their own rate. The recovery process was seen to neither be neat nor predicable, and some artists are only just now ready to come forward to begin their project. Additionally, for many grant recipients, the assistance and support provided by the Project Officer was more valuable to them than the money provided through the Fund. For these two reasons we recommend the Project Officer position be continued for another 18 months after the intended termination of the position in June 2011. This extension will enable assistance to be provided to individuals and communities just emerging to start new projects. Ideally, there should be three people working as Project Officers. They could be set up on Murrindindi Shire Council offices, yet their work should be independent of Council. Provide ongoing financial support With the financial support of Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) coming to an end, it is important to consider means of funds to support artists recovering in bushfire-affected communities. An ongoing program of support could be either from the government or not-for-profit sector. The model used by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is a good example of a model that has been successful in implementing programs for bushfire affected communities. Funding has also been set aside by the Bushfire Recovery Advisory Panel to help meet medium to long term recovery needs in bushfire affected areas, with a new community advisory committee to provide advice to the Panel on recovery priorities. Government may consider implementing a mid- term support mechanism for people just starting to scope relevant arts projects two to three years on from the bushfires. Existing funding models or new approaches should be considered to provide this ongoing financial support.
The_role_of_arts_in_rebuilding_community_-_Final_Report.docx