Applications are now open for the 2020-21 ACT Heritage Grants Program targeting projects to move Canberra’s history online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman encouraged Canberrans, local community groups and organisations to apply to protect and celebrate our heritage.
“The grant program will see $355,000 worth of projects flow into our economy. It’s another way the ACT Government is supporting local jobs, businesses and community organisations during this challenging time,” Minister Gentleman commented “This year we’re asking for proposals that are developed in line with current social distancing requirements. This could include projects to bring our heritage to life in new ways like online resources and virtual visitation as well as restoration works to residential premises.

The Minister explained that Canberra has a rich and diverse local heritage from Aboriginal artefacts through to early European settlement and modern architecture. Each year, the grants support projects that promote and conserve our local heritage, including oral histories, festivals and exhibitions. Minister Gentleman went on to point out that The Heritage Grants Program is built on our community partnerships, which are especially important right now as we work together to create new jobs and fast track projects to keep local businesses going.

Priorities for the 2020-21 round are:

• Conservation works, Conservation Management Plans and projects that enable the continued use of and access to heritage places and objects. Priority will be granted to conservation works for private residential dwellings
• Community projects that increase the utilisation, awareness and engagement in heritage places and objects through education (of all ages), oral histories, tourism, interpretation and events. Priority will be granted to projects that add advanced content to the Augment Reality Canberra Tracks App (e.g. videos, audios, photography, holograms, geo-locator pipes, etc)
• Aboriginal projects initiated by or involving the local Aboriginal community in local heritage activities
• Projects that provide partnership opportunities between community organisations and ACT government agencies.

Applications close Friday 12 June 2020. Grant application forms and guidelines are available from www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage or by phoning 13 2281.