In 2013, Ross Farnell and Gareth Hart met to discuss the opportunity of extending the reach and focus of hillscene magazine, into a live art / performing arts context.
It was perceived that there was a strong history of support for visual artists in the region, however there was a perceived need for further and deeper support for performing artists. As such, hillsceneLIVE was born to support experimental and emerging live arts practice in the Dandenong Ranges.
At the end of 2013, Burrinja and Hart were successful in securing a professional Pathways Scholarship from Arts Victoria and the Victorian College of the Art & Music to support the 2014 activities.
Throughout 2014, in partnership with Burrinja, Hart implemented three evening events, comprising 10-12 artists in a curated event context. These events were held seasonally in different locations throughout the Dandenong Ranges. The first of these events was held in June 2014 at Burrinja Cultural Centre. The second, held in September 2014 took place in a range of locations throughout Belgrave township. The third event, in December 2014 was held in partnership and hosted by Mt Burnett Observatory.
In 2015, after huge success in its inaugural year, hillsceneLIVE moved to an annual event, taking over a number of shop fronts and outdoor locations in Monbulk, Victoria. Concurrently, Hart set up a Cultural Leadership Committee of four emerging female arts producers, with the long term vision of a succession plan. These emerging leaders consisted of Justine Walsh, Toni Main, Alana Michaud and Zoe Amber-Preston.
2016’s festival was funded through Yarra Ranges Council, through their Grants for Community stream.
To deepen the support for artist’s development, Hart also introduced a professional development stream, producing a series of panel discussions, workshops and network events throughout the year.
In 2016, hillsceneLIVE experienced a rapid period of growth, setting the ambitious task of expanding to a full three day festival. Mt Evelyn was outlined as the host township, and the festival team, now comprising Festival Director and Founder Gareth Hart, and Producers Toni Main, Justine Walsh and Alana Michaud undertook this ambitious task. 2016’s festival comprised of 20 events, spanning theatre, dance, installation, sound, circus and more. The artistic program also featured hillsceneLIVE100 - a social inclusion project for 100 local residents, providing free dinner, a keynote presentation from Kumari Middleton, and subsidised access to festival activities. Alongside this, the festival also featured a range of practical workshops, critical conversations and artist networking.
The festival featured a total of 24 distinct events, and supported 40 artists.
Due to unforseen circumstances, hillsceneLIVE did not apply for funding from Yarra Ranges Council, and subsequently ran a major fundraising campaigning, with MATCH funding from Creative Partnerships Australia. With the addition of seed funding from Burrinja Cultural Centre, and securing business sponsorship for the first time.
In 2017, Festival Director and Founder Gareth Hart stepped away from the festival, making way for Justine Walsh and Toni Main to assume co-directorship of the festival.
To continue support and succession of the festival, another team of emerging cultural leaders were appointed to help produce hillsceneLIVE, and in 2017 this consists of Renate Crow, Natalie Smith and Meiki Apted.
Due to an increased study load and other commitments, producer Alana Michaud stepped down from a formal commitment to the festival. The 2017 festival is funded once again through Yarra Ranges Council’s Grants for Community stream.
It was perceived that there was a strong history of support for visual artists in the region, however there was a perceived need for further and deeper support for performing artists. As such, hillsceneLIVE was born to support experimental and emerging live arts practice in the Dandenong Ranges.
At the end of 2013, Burrinja and Hart were successful in securing a professional Pathways Scholarship from Arts Victoria and the Victorian College of the Art & Music to support the 2014 activities.
Throughout 2014, in partnership with Burrinja, Hart implemented three evening events, comprising 10-12 artists in a curated event context. These events were held seasonally in different locations throughout the Dandenong Ranges. The first of these events was held in June 2014 at Burrinja Cultural Centre. The second, held in September 2014 took place in a range of locations throughout Belgrave township. The third event, in December 2014 was held in partnership and hosted by Mt Burnett Observatory.
In 2015, after huge success in its inaugural year, hillsceneLIVE moved to an annual event, taking over a number of shop fronts and outdoor locations in Monbulk, Victoria. Concurrently, Hart set up a Cultural Leadership Committee of four emerging female arts producers, with the long term vision of a succession plan. These emerging leaders consisted of Justine Walsh, Toni Main, Alana Michaud and Zoe Amber-Preston.
2016’s festival was funded through Yarra Ranges Council, through their Grants for Community stream.
To deepen the support for artist’s development, Hart also introduced a professional development stream, producing a series of panel discussions, workshops and network events throughout the year.
In 2016, hillsceneLIVE experienced a rapid period of growth, setting the ambitious task of expanding to a full three day festival. Mt Evelyn was outlined as the host township, and the festival team, now comprising Festival Director and Founder Gareth Hart, and Producers Toni Main, Justine Walsh and Alana Michaud undertook this ambitious task. 2016’s festival comprised of 20 events, spanning theatre, dance, installation, sound, circus and more. The artistic program also featured hillsceneLIVE100 - a social inclusion project for 100 local residents, providing free dinner, a keynote presentation from Kumari Middleton, and subsidised access to festival activities. Alongside this, the festival also featured a range of practical workshops, critical conversations and artist networking.
The festival featured a total of 24 distinct events, and supported 40 artists.
Due to unforseen circumstances, hillsceneLIVE did not apply for funding from Yarra Ranges Council, and subsequently ran a major fundraising campaigning, with MATCH funding from Creative Partnerships Australia. With the addition of seed funding from Burrinja Cultural Centre, and securing business sponsorship for the first time.
In 2017, Festival Director and Founder Gareth Hart stepped away from the festival, making way for Justine Walsh and Toni Main to assume co-directorship of the festival.
To continue support and succession of the festival, another team of emerging cultural leaders were appointed to help produce hillsceneLIVE, and in 2017 this consists of Renate Crow, Natalie Smith and Meiki Apted.
Due to an increased study load and other commitments, producer Alana Michaud stepped down from a formal commitment to the festival. The 2017 festival is funded once again through Yarra Ranges Council’s Grants for Community stream.