The Torch has recently won a symbolically valued Wurreker Award and become one of the first recipients of the Palais Theatre Community Fund in tribute to its ongoing work.
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The Torch won the 2018 Community Based Employer Award at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) Wurreker Awards in late September.
Kent Morris, CEO of The Torch, believes recognition for the work the organisation does has never been sought for however he acknowledges that winning a Wurreker Award has been a great honour.
The Torch has also recently become one of the first recipients of the Palais Theatre Community Fund. This has allowed the organisation to adapt to change accordingly and keep up with the growing number of participants getting involved with theState-wide Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community Program (SIAPC).
“The challenge for The Torch is to keep up with the growth, particularly in terms of staff to deliver all aspects of the [SIAPC] program,” Morris said.
“Also, we need to build our capacity to exhibit, sell and store the growing volume of extraordinary artworks being created by men and women in the program.”
Both the in-prison and in-community programs aim to reduce the rate of reoffending.
The Torch’s work evolves around connecting participants to culture through the Indigenous arts industry and enabling them to profit from their artistic talents, as per the 2016 Aboriginal Arts Policy Model.
The Torch’s recent successes are of a great material and financial benefit during a time of rapid growth – with approximately 200 men and women currently participating in the in-prison program and 100 involved with the in-community program.
Participants have continued to benefit from The Torch which has consistently shed light on the lives of the many talented men and women since its establishment in 2011.
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