Jennifer Pittorino
Footscray’s L2R Dance has been granted $50,000, by Bank of Melbourne Foundation which will go towards funding two programs in 2024.
Founded by Jacinda Richards, L2R Dance is a charity offering culturally safe, creative spaces for young participants and diverse artists unable to access commercial dance due to social and or financial barriers.
Ms Richards describes the two programs as core parts of the business, one of which is the NextGen program.
“It is a free weekly hip hop dance programme for young people aged 12 to 25 in Melbourne’s west and for those who can’t access commercial databases,” she said.
“It is a lot of fun and has really diverse and dynamic young people accessing this programme.”
The program currently has 15 regular participants and more than 20 enrolments.
The remaining money from the grant will go towards the Igniting Legends Program, a paid internship program building pathways to professional employment in the arts for young people.
Led by L2R’s youth arts coordinator David Prakash, this program places four young creatives on year-long paid internships.
“This program is for emerging artists, people who have finished school and are looking at what’s next and how they can understand their role as an artist.”
“The money will go towards paying artists to deliver these programs, providing food and snacks, as well as going directly to the young people who are taking the internships and the training and developments attached to the programs.
“It is exciting to know that these programs are secure for 2024.”.
The Bank of Melbourne Foundation raises funds and awareness to support local Victorian charities providing programs and services that are helping children and young people experiencing disadvantage to thrive.
Details: www.l2r.org.au/
