Seven First Nations artists and organisations will share in almost $400,000 of funding in the latest round of the Palaszczuk Government's First Nations Commissioning Fund.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the First Nations Commissioning Fund has supported the development of exciting new works that celebrate the stories of two of the longest continuous living cultures in the world, through authentic Indigenous arts and cultural experiences.
"This fund further develops connections for future generations, creates employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers, and enables Queenslanders to experience and engage in diverse works by First Nations artists," Minster Enoch said.
"The funding is investing in new works and experiences across theatre, dance, fashion, visual arts, community cultural arts, and also an innovative app by Gabba Musik who will partner with Indigilab to play local contemporary First Nations lullabies on Country.
"A multi-media dance project Milbi Ngutha-nguthangan, a new work by recipient Tamara Pearson, will bring together professional dancers and First Nations community members, story tellers, puppetry, stilt walking, and animation to interpret traditional stories of the Guugu Yimithirr people.
"Lugger Bort is an archival collection about the Lugger vessels, crewed by Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander peoples since the mid 1860's and will create a community-led exhibition in venues around Cairns as part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2023."
"Importantly this investment in the commissioning of new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works is growing a strong pipeline of work that will bring communities and visitors together in shared and enriching cultural experiences."
Minister Enoch said the First Nations Commissioning Fund is a further demonstration of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to Elevate First Nations arts and share and celebrate Queensland's stories and storytellers, as key priorities of our 10-year plan, Creative Together 2020-2030, to renew and transform Queensland through creativity".
"This latest round demonstrates the power of First Nations-led outcomes to grow economic capacity and contribute to a thriving arts and cultural sector in Queensland.
"The arts are key to delivering our Government's plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state's economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders," Ms Enoch said.
Lucas Proudfoot, creator & performer of Proudfoot & Friends, a live stage show, animated series and innovative digital children's project said, creating song and story for our young ones is so important.
"I cannot wait to launch Proudfoot & Friends on stages across Queensland in the very near future," Lucas said.
"The funding will allow me to do research and development with Queensland based technology companies and attract key creative and industry personal from the arts and digital economy to the project.
"Music-Story-Culture, it's about Sharing & Connecting," he said.
