Our Profile

Our Vision

The Barwon Heads Arts Council Inc. was established as a not-for-profit incorporated organisation in 2013 with the following vision.

1.To develop a community arts hub for artists and the community to come together;

2.To promote creative education though workshops, events and festivals;

3.To promote the arts in Barwon Heads and throughout the Bellarine Peninsula.

 

Working towards a Community Arts Hub for our town

Barwon Heads is an arts town lacking a dedicated Community Arts Hub for it’s increasing population.

Our vision is to develop a sustainable Community Arts Hub. It is an inclusive vision that will support all local artists; the visual arts, music, drama, theatre, dance, poetry and literature. A community that values the arts enhances local identity and uniqueness. We believe art is a catalyzing symbol of the people as a community.

This socially inclusive complex will play a vital role in joining the artists and wider community together by

  • building confidence and resilience;
  • promoting health and wellbeing in individuals;
  • teaching new skills;
  • fostering new artistic connections;
  • reducing isolation and improving regional mental health;
  • connecting generations;
  • introducing the local Wathaurong Artists and Elders;
  • increased tourism and financial income to local businesses;
  • promoting Barwon Heads as a weekend getaway arts destination
  • promote the importance of environmental sustainability and
  • providing a display and sales opportunity for local artists and their works.

Year round activity at the Community Arts Hub will provide significant annual economic growth for our community. This will boost local tourism and business in Barwon Heads and take advantage of the region’s natural beauty.

Our vision for the Community Arts Hub includes:

  • intimate performance and exhibition space;
  • studios for workshops and artists-in-residence programs;
  • studio space for hire for those artists with ability to contribute financially;
  • school workshops inclusive of curriculum;
  • meeting place for community groups;
  • school holiday educational and fun art programs;
  • local Indigenous educational space;
  • multicultural events and
  • men’s shed.

Our Membership Base

Barwon Heads Arts Council has already gathered a membership base over 300 including artists, residents, philanthropists, professionals and a junior membership. Community support is real and growing.

Our 2013-2014 Highlights

  • BHAC member Ms Kaz Paton & The Arts and Culture Department, City of Greater Geelong has been solid supporters of BHAC since our inception. Also BHAC member Mr Peter McMullin, past President of Geelong Art Gallery and current Board Member of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra has provided valuable mentorship to the Committee. Kaz Paton and Peter McMullin are our No.1 Founding Members.
  • Establishment of large, diverse and membership base over 300;
  • Establishment of highly skilled. diverse and enthusiastic Committee;
  • Have applied for, and received, extensive grant funding through City of Greater Geelong.
  • Have developed a strong working relationship with City of Greater Geelong, Regional Arts Victoria, BH Association and BH Community Arts Garden.
  • All events organised by BHAC have been booked out with waiting lists.
  • Establishment of ArtsPlay Barwon Bluff – Children’s workshops have included dance, theatre games,art, air-dry clay sculpture and drumming. Upcoming workshops include Xmas ArtsPlay and Summer ArtsPlay.
  • Establishment of Adults ArtsPlay – Life Drawing Night. September 2014.
  • Raku Pot Firing and Family Day – August 2014.
  • Active participation in Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea March 2014.
  • Proud community partner with COGG Arts and Culture Department for the major 2014 regional arts event M~M2014 May 2014.
  • Highly successful Spring “Meet the Authors” day with Patricia Edgar, Margaret Bowman, Sian Prior and Zoe Daniel. September 2014 held at the Barwon Heads Golf Club.
  • Yoga, Belly Dancing, Drumming, Chai and Cake Family Afternoon – November 2014.

Our 2015 Calendar of Events so far…

  • Summer ArtsPlay for Kids January 2015
  • Kids ArtsPlay workshops throughout 2015.
  • Adults ArtsPlay workshops throughout 2015.
  • Community Partner- Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea 11-15 March 2015.
  • “Discover the Arts through the Barwon Heads Laneways” 14th March 2015 (New event)
  • ANZAC Centenary “Meet the Authors” Event – 19 April 2015. (New event)
  • Winter Writing Workshop – Sian Prior and Christine Croyden – Winter 2015 (New event)
  • Raku Pot Firing and Family Day – August 2015.
  • Spring “Meet the Authors” Event – September 2015.
  • Spring Bellarine Arts Trail / Open Studio Weekend – October 2015 (New event supported by a COGG 2015 Community Arts Grant)

We would like to sincerely thank BHAC member Liz McGrath for recently offering to design our event flyers. Liz McGrath is an Art Teacher who currently juggles roles at Karingallery and Barwon Valley School, and works on arts access programs through the Bluebird Foundation. She regularly delivers children’s art workshops for the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and has worked on a number of community art projects. As a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, Liz specialises in publications that deliver health and community messages. She and her family have lived in Barwon Heads since 2009.

Open Committee Meetings will take place on the 3rd Monday of each month during 2015.

We enthusiastically welcome new ideas and feedback and invite all BHAC members to attend.

This profile was updated in March 2015.