A NATIMUK woman will explore how arts can help communities recover after a natural disaster.
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Carolynne Hamdorf has been appointed Regional Arts Victoria’s new creative arts recovery facilitator for the Grampians and Horsham region.
Ms Hamdorf will start the role in mid-December.
‘‘It’s all very new and this position is a collaboration between the Department of Human Services and Regional Arts Victoria,’’ she said.
‘‘There will be three positions across the state – with one being within Northern Grampians Shire and Horsham Rural City, which is me.
‘‘It’s a part-time position that looks at how the arts can be integrated into times when the community faces emergencies, such as natural disasters like floods and fires – times when there is an immediate call to action and services need to be brought it.
‘‘We have a good emergency management system in place and this role looks at how the arts can be integrated into that service and deliver support to communities –things such as community building and decreasing the sense of isolation after an incident.’’
Ms Hamdorf has worked with Regional Arts Victoria through the Small Towns Transformation Project at Natimuk.
She said it would be nice to work with the group again.
"‘I applied for the role because I thought it was a really interesting space to work in,’’ she said.
‘‘A lot of planning has gone into co-ordinating resources after an incident and looking at how we can add arts into that sector is interesting.
‘‘I wanted to be involved in framing how that idea can work.’’
Ms Hamdorf said the Department of Human Services and Regional Arts Victoria were keen for the roles to start before the summer fire season.
‘‘This role will be a strategic role, looking at services already in place, creating close alignment with arts and looking at longer term planning,’’ she said.
Regional Arts Victoria director Esther Anatolitis said art had a unique role to play in disaster recovery, which was both powerful and subtle.
‘‘Our facilitators will work sensitively and strategically to leave a lasting legacy of creative collaborations and connections that foster well-being, resilience and innovation,’’ she said.
‘‘We know many individuals and communities benefit by using creative outlets as part of their journey toward recovery.
‘‘I really welcome the appointment of creative arts recovery facilitators to support recovery of communities affected by the 2014 bushfires.’’