Christmas comes early for SAM

RISING UP... Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, Shepparton Art Museum chief executive offi cer, Dr Rebecca Coates, and senior curator, Shelley McSpedden at the new SAM this week, announcing $265,000 of funding to bolster the offerings at the SAM once it moves into its new home. Photo: Struan Jones

AS the building for the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) approaches completion, work is going on in the background to prepare the walls with new works of art.

Indigenous art, education, digital content, and job creation are at the centre of more than $265,000 in Federal Government funding that will further bolster the offerings at SAM’s new $50M home adjacent to Victoria Park Lake.

In making the announcement at the edge of the new site, Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, said SAM had been awarded the grant via the Government’s $75M Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund, which is supporting arts and entertainment organisations seeking to restart, re-imagine or create new cultural and creative activities following the prolonged COVID-19 shutdown.

SAM chief executive officer, Dr Rebecca Coates, said the funding was recognition of SAM’s commitment to working with local Indigenous artists.

“As SAM edges closer to our move into the new purpose-built cultural space, co-located with Kaiela Arts and the visitor centre, this funding creates new opportunities,” Dr Coates said.

“We are thrilled that our engagement work can be further amplified through this funding.”