Nillumbik Council is combining with creative talents this month for Live July, a series of diverse livestreamed arts and cultural events.

Live July kicks off Nillumbik Shire Council’s innovative Art in the Time of COVID-19 program which also supports writers and visual artists.

From July 1, Live July features 36 live-streamed events with 47 creatives from across Victoria and will include performances, studio tours, workshops, demonstrations and tutorials.

Enjoy music, dance, film, ceramics, painting, illustration, creative writing, literature, creative upcycling and more – without having to leave the house.

In May, artists of all mediums were invited to apply for commission opportunities through Live-streaming in the Time of COVID-19, Art in the Time of COVID-19 and Written in the Time of COVID-19.

Overall, Council received 356 applications from artists both locally and across the country, underscoring the appeal of the program and the great need within the arts sector during the pandemic.

Members from Council’s Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee sat on three selection panels awarding 163 artists a commission through the program.

Mayor Cr Karen Egan said Council had been impressed with the calibre of applications.

“Nillumbik is known for its vibrant arts community,” Cr Egan said. “The sector has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and we are pleased to be able to support artists of all mediums in this way,” Cr Egan said,

As well as Live July, this month will also see 20 short texts “published” as temporary public artworks on footpaths in the Shire as part of Written in the Time of COVID-19.

And as a lasting record of the response of writers to COVID-19, Council will publish an anthology of 80 submissions.

From September 3 to October 29, the work of 36 local and national artists will be presented at the Art in the Time of COVID-19 exhibition at Montsalvat in Eltham, subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Nillumbik Council has commissioned new works in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, installation and video that respond to the time of COVID-19.

Live July will be live-streamed from Council’s Arts and Culture Facebook Page and the full program can be viewed at Nillumbik Shire Council’s website.