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Home>Pyrenees to LEAP into Art
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The Pyrenees Shire is a partner in a newly formed CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ART NETWORK. The network is one of only three Victorian recipients of a new “arts for health” program funded by VicHealth.
The project will receive $600,000 over three years to implement the innovative program called Localities Enhancing Arts Participation, or LEAP for short.
The program was launched in Ballarat last Thursday at the artHALL Learmonth by Western Victoria MLC Jaala Pulford.
A collaborative effort, the program will bring arts to the communities of Pyrenees and the municipalities of Ararat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Ballarat.
The role of arts and culture in building and strengthening communities should not be underestimated, according to VicHealth Chief Executive Officer Todd Harper.
“Evidence shows that when community participation in social and arts activity is high, there is reduced crime, increased employment rates and enhanced educational performance,” Mr Harper said.
“Arts participation is linked to social, cultural and economic benefit to local communities.
“There is also strong evidence that mental health and well-being is improved among individuals who participate in social networks and activities in the arts like singing, music, dancing or theatre groups.”
With an already established artistic and cultural base in the region, he said he thought the program would be an outstanding success.
The CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ART NETWORK application stood out to the decision-makers at VicHealth for several reasons.
“We are impressed with the collaboration between the local councils in this project and the leadership shown by the local government.”
“Another thing that really attracted us was the local support of the artistic talent in the communities,” he said.
The project team 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.
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