! The timing and circumstances of the disaster Effectiveness of the Initiatives that created a unifying purpose. The initiatives were effective in addressing their stated objectives, and illustrated that the Issues and learnings Victorian government responded to the impact There were some minor issues relating to of the bushfires in a way that has been seen to delivery of the initiatives, however these did renew and benefit communities by protecting not impinge on the success of the projects or and promoting their well being. their intended outcomes. The main issues were: A number of unintended positive consequences occurred, including some ! The application process was arduous for projects attracting additional funding, in-kind some, particularly who had not applied support, or attention. Some projects grew for funding before, but also for one or two or extended beyond their initial vision, some experienced grant application writers; attracted greater numbers of participants and audiences than anticipated, participants ! The Fund did not allow artists to reapply for another grant to enable their project to grow experienced personal growth, and money was or continue; raised for bushfire recovery activities. ! The budget for the Fund did not support the Key drivers of success considerable numbers of prospective The literature review identified a number of projects, many of were ready to elements that are crucial to the success of commence after the program had ended; disaster recovery projects. The initiatives contained all of as well as some ! Some artists in areas other than Murrindindi additional successful elements. They were: Shire were disappointed to have not had a personal visit from someone representing ! The speed and simplicity of the grant; the funding body; ! Provision of on-the-ground support; ! The work of the Project Officer was made ! The initiatives were community-driven; difficult in Murrindindi as there was no obvious Council contact with whom to form ! The inclusiveness of the projects; a partnership, and the workload was ! Utilisation of existing groups and networks; arguably too great for one person. ! Recognition that people recover at different The value of the arts in disaster recovery ! Acknowledgement that strong communities There is a growing body of evidence that are diverse; the arts plays a valuable role in disaster recovery. This was supported in the ! Opportunities to share stories; evaluation. ! Providing opportunities for reflection and The literature states that it is not appropriate commemoration and a reason for people to to talk about practice’ in arts-based come together; ‘best disaster recovery responses. This is because every ! Providing research feedback loops to monitor progress; and
Effectiveness of the Initiatives The initiatives were effective in addressing their stated objectives, and illustrated that the Victorian government responded to the impact of the bushfires in a way that has been seen to renew and benefit communities by protecting and promoting their well being. A number of unintended positive consequences occurred, including some projects attracting additional funding, in-kind support, or attention. Some projects grew or extended beyond their initial vision, some attracted greater numbers of participants and audiences than anticipated, participants experienced personal growth, and money was raised for bushfire recovery activities. Key drivers of success The literature review identified a number of elements that are crucial to the success of disaster recovery projects. The initiatives contained all of as well as some additional successful elements. They were: ! The speed and simplicity of the grant; ! Provision of on-the-ground support; ! The initiatives were community-driven; ! The inclusiveness of the projects; ! Utilisation of existing groups and networks; ! Recognition that people recover at different ! Acknowledgement that strong communities are diverse; ! Opportunities to share stories; ! Providing opportunities for reflection and commemoration and a reason for people to come together; ! Providing research feedback loops to monitor progress; and ! The timing and circumstances of the disaster that created a unifying purpose. Issues and learnings There were some minor issues relating to delivery of the initiatives, however these did not impinge on the success of the projects or their intended outcomes. The main issues were: ! The application process was arduous for some, particularly who had not applied for funding before, but also for one or two experienced grant application writers; ! The Fund did not allow artists to reapply for another grant to enable their project to grow or continue; ! The budget for the Fund did not support the considerable numbers of prospective projects, many of were ready to commence after the program had ended; ! Some artists in areas other than Murrindindi Shire were disappointed to have not had a personal visit from someone representing the funding body; ! The work of the Project Officer was made difficult in Murrindindi as there was no obvious Council contact with whom to form a partnership, and the workload was arguably too great for one person. The value of the arts in disaster recovery There is a growing body of evidence that the arts plays a valuable role in disaster recovery. This was supported in the evaluation. The literature states that it is not appropriate to talk about ‘best practice’ in arts-based disaster recovery responses. This is because every
The_role_of_arts_in_rebuilding_community_-_Final_Report.docx