Growth ambition of Queensland's 17 Indigenous Arts Centres is supported with increased funding of nearly $2 million over three years from 2023-24.
Through the BIA Strategic Development Project Fund, each of Queensland's 17 IAC can access up to $60,000 per annum for projects that foster business development and create new employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and art workers.
Increased funding to IACs also includes a specific funding uplift for the 14 BIA IACs of $162,000 per annum shared across these centres.
The Palaszczuk Government is backing the growth of the state's Indigenous Art Centres (IACs) with an almost $2 million investment over three years, uplifting core operations and supporting strategic projects and initiatives that realise local ambition.
IACs are important creative and community spaces that support First Nations artists to develop their arts practice and new investment will work to strengthen local capacity and sustainability, enhancing artists' access to ethical markets showcase and sell works.
Through the Queensland Government's Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) Initiative, IACs can access up to $60,000 each year per centre to undertake new growth initiatives that align with their strategic plans through the Grow 2022-2026 Strategic Development Project Fund.
This strategic development project funding can support a range of initiatives including support for employment, training and mentoring opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers in areas such as curation, governance, arts management, and product and market development.
IACs can also seek support for the growth of digital strategies that promote transparent and ethical sales and market development for First Nations artists, and the creation of partnerships and collaborations that support artistic and business development.
Quote attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch:
"Indigenous Arts Centres are vibrant creative hubs within their communities, supporting local emerging and established artists and arts workers to create signature work and tell their unique stories through arts and cultural practices.
"Investment of almost $2 million over three years will support Indigenous Art Centres to grow the careers of local First Nations artists and arts workers, facilitate the showcasing and selling of high-quality artworks, and provide valuable cultural and community benefits.
"Art, culture and storytelling are central to the important work of truth-telling and healing, as we continue on the Path to Treaty in Queensland.
"Fostering the growth of the IACs in Queensland delivers against the key priority of Creative Together 2020-2030 to elevate First Nation arts by creating positive long-term impacts for local artists and art workers and communities, strengthening the arts and cultural sector and their reputation as a tourism destination.
"We have also worked to expand our investment in IACs to support 17 centres, including the emerging Indigenous Art Centre in Coen and the Ration Shed Museum at Cherbourg.
"We are committed to ensuring the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a powerful celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures and that the First Nation arts sector leverages the opportunities presented when Queensland showcases Queensland's unique cultural identity and heritage on the world stage."
Quote attributable to Solomon Booth, Chair, Moa Arts:
"BIA funding is important because it gives us the resources, we need to keep our culture strong and vibrant. It helps us create economic opportunities for people in our community, build the skills we need and share our stories," Mr Booth said.
"We take pride in our culture, in our stories, and in the work, we do to keep everyone strong. The important thing about this investment is that it brings culture and economic opportunity together, and there is great strength in that for us. It also lets us market our work and share it with audiences and buyers from across the country and around the world."
