Melbourne ratepayers cough millions up for bizarre art shows
A cabaret puppet show, artists exploring the intimacy of refugees, a performance called “F--- me, F--- me, Yeah” — ratepayers in Melbourne have just spent $2.5 million funding these art shows in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.
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Artists exploring intimacy of refugees, “trans masculinity” and being a “weirdo in isolation” are among hundreds to snare a slice of $2.5 million in COVID-19 grants from Melbourne City Council ratepayers.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal full details of the controversial program, with almost 800 artists being given up to $4000 each after claiming to be affected by pandemic restrictions.
Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said the $2.5 million given to artists should have gone to help struggling ratepayers.
“Local council shouldn’t be in the business of job creation — its business is delivering services to the community that funds it,” he said.
“How are these grants benefiting ratepayers facing hardship?”
The handouts sparked controversy after it was revealed feminist Clementine Ford was among the recipients.
Late Friday she returned her $2800 grant after it was revealed she had tweeted “the coronavirus isn’t killing men fast enough’’.
The council maintains a review — ordered in the wake of the Ford saga — found the awarding of all grants was “consistent with the guidelines and criteria.”
Another controversial recipient is writer Catherine Deveny, who has railed against Anzac Day as being a “Trojan Horse for racism, sexism”, and who at the 2010 Logies hoped that Bindi Irwin, who was then 11, “gets laid”.
Anna Thomson got a grant for a sequel to her show Puppet Jam, which the Melbourne Fringe Festival warned could potentially trigger themes like violence, suicide, misogyny and death.
“This is the show for the child you suppressed when you became an adult that still wets the bed when you get drunk,” said the festival’s website.
A group called The Gender Whisperers was funded for Stories of Trans Masculinity, while artist Aaron Bradbrook got cash for a performance called F--- me F--- me, Yeah.
Other projects funded included a virtual reality film “exploring intimacy and unity in the time of COVID-19 through the eyes of recently arrived refugees and immigrants”.
The Islamic Museum of Australia got cash for its exhibition Spirit of Ramadan, while singer Dave Graney got funding, as did writer and podcaster Jamila Rizvi and the Yarra Valley Writers Festival.
There were also grants for a “First Nations” online weaving course, a three-act performance about a wheelchair user, and a performance called A Weirdo in Isolation by artist Jennifer Byrne.
Arts producer Tristan Meecham, who has previously secured more than $130,000 in ratepayer funding for two “gay elders” balls, won a grant for his podcast What’s Eating Trestin Meacham.
Melbourne City Council chief executive officer Justin Hanney said a review of all grants found no errors in how ratepayer money had been allocated.
Of the more than 2250 applicants assessed 777 secured a grant.
Recipients don’t have to be Melbourne City Council residents but must complete their work within the municipality.
“The review found that all grants awarded by the independent grant assessors were consistent with the guidelines and criteria,’’ Mr Hanney said.
“I am proud of the work of staff at the City of Melbourne who continue to deliver for our community and business in these challenging times.”
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she respected Ford’s decision not to accept funding, saying on social media the council was committed to freedom of speech while acknowledging the “hurt felt by many people who have contacted me this week.”
Melbourne City Council, which has frozen the average rate rise for 2020-21, has also given $5 million to inner city businesses hit by the pandemic.
Among the hundreds to get grants are Degani Crown, John Curtin Hotel, Chinese Museum, Advanced Composite Structures Australia, Cycles Galleria and Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre.
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