The Morrison Government will support 30 arts tours across Australia during 2021, providing a major boost to artists and audiences, particularly in remote and regional communities.
The Government will invest more than $3.6 million through the latest rounds of two touring programs: Playing Australia: Regional Performing Arts Touring Fund and the Contemporary Music Touring Program.
The programs will fund 30 projects in this round, to support tours spanning contemporary music, theatre, and dance to 268 unique locations nationally, with a focus on performances in regional and remote communities across Australia.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the grants highlight the Government's commitment to supporting the growth of a national arts sector accessible to all Australians.
"Live performance and touring are vital to the ongoing sustainability and vibrancy of Australian arts," Minister Fletcher said.
"The projects supported in this latest funding round will provide new opportunities for contemporary musicians and performers to resume performing and touring as we emerge from COVID-19, and will allow them to engage with audiences across Australia."
One of the largest grant recipients is the Bangarra Dance Theatre Company, which received almost $500,000 in funding.
Bangarra is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation and one of Australia's leading performing arts companies. With the Government's support, Bangarra will tour their work 'SandSong' to eight venues in regional WA and NT.
"Bangarra has been captivating audiences for 31 years, and now our regional and remote communities will have an opportunity to experience authentic Indigenous stories through world-class dance theatre," Minister Fletcher said.
The Australian Government is committed to supporting the Australia Council to deliver strong outcomes for a vibrant arts sector. The Council continues to receive significant funding of around $214.9 million in 2020-21 to support Australian artists and arts organisations.
To further support a sustainable and vibrant arts and creative sector across regional and remote Australia, the Government has also announced almost $400,000 to support a series of six national strategic projects under the Regional Arts Fund. The projects will be delivered by Regional Arts Australia in 2021 and include a regional arts fellowship program, and sector wellbeing and online studio programs supporting the regional arts network. The Regional Arts Fund received an extra $10 million last year due to COVID-19, on top of standard funding of about $3.5 million.
"Our investment in the long-term development and sustainability of the regional arts network, arts organisations and arts workers is crucial for the recovery of our cultural and creative sectors and communities," Minister Fletcher said.
For the full list of successful recipients, and for information on when the next grant round closes, visit the Australia Council website.
