- New investment of $2.3 million will support 22 projects to develop and showcase new arts and cultural work and grow new creative employment opportunities.
- $1.2 million in funding through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program will support sixteen projects, while six projects will share in $1.1 million through the First Nations Commissioning Fund.
- Funding outcomes will $421,854 will boost creative employment and build capacity with seven Industry Placements across the two funds, and five projects receiving funding to commission new Queensland music.
Palaszczuk Government investment of $2.3 million through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and the First Nations Commissioning Fund is supporting 22 new, diverse and inclusive arts and cultural experiences across Queensland from Mugdgeeraba to Mornington Island.
These latest investment outcomes are supporting the development and presentation of new works and skills including the delivery of new music and dance festivals, youth focused workshops, new visual arts exhibitions, physical theatre and circus, and a contemporary wearable art project.
Seven projects have received funding for industry placements to grow sector capacity and the creative workforce, while five supported projects will receive dedicated funding to commission new music by Queensland-based artists.
Grace Lillian Lee Productions will deliver a body of technologically driven art works engaging with seven First Nations artists and James Cook University's Ideas Lab including engaging an arts management placement. Cairns-based award-winning theatre-maker Isaac Drandic will develop a new theatre work Faith Spirit Lore, while Ross Manning will attend a 4-week residency to develop new skills and methods leading to the creation of new sculptural works for exhibition.
Somerset Storyfest Limited will deliver Storyfest 2024, a three-day youth literature festival held on the Gold Coast, which provides interactive learning opportunities and will feature author talks, workshops and creative experiences.
Metro Arts will collaborate with leading Queensland dance companies to create two-week dance festivals in 2024 and 2025 that will celebrate new choreographic voices and independent and emerging dance practitioners.
Quote attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch:
"This latest investment of $2.3 million through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) and the First Nations Commissioning Fund is supporting artists and arts workers across the State to strengthen Queensland's cultural reputation, activate places and spaces and engage communities through vibrant arts projects and events.
"Our stories are central to our cultural identity, and Queensland artists and arts organisation play an invaluable role in preserving and presenting our unique and diverse stories from communities across the state.
"The Palaszczuk Government's Creative Together 2020–2030 roadmap prioritises supporting a strong and sustainable sector, elevating First Nations arts and celebrating our stories and storytellers.
"Our investment in new arts and cultural experiences is inspiring audiences and communities, growing our creative talent and ensuring Queensland embraces the opportunities presented by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when our arts and cultures will be showcased on the global stage."
Quote attributable to a spokesperson from proppaNOW:
"While proppaNOW has been active for 20 years, the recruitment of new members in 2023 has propelled the need for the collective's action and projection well into the future.
"Securing the First Nations Commissioning Grant has thereby assisted in securing this future, by firstly supporting travel plans for our first New York exhibition honouring our contribution to arts and politics through the internationally acclaimed Jane Lombard Prize for Arts and Social Justice.
"It will also provide the development of an archive, the curation of a new exhibition in Brisbane and an industry placement for new member Lily Eather as an art historian and curatorial assistant.
"We are beyond excited and grateful for this recognition and support."
Quotes attributable to Caroline Dunphy & Katherine Lyall-Watson, Co-Artistic Directors - Belloo Creative:
"This funding from Arts Queensland is a game changer for Belloo.
"Not only does it give us the chance to develop HAVEN: HOME TO BILO in regional Queensland, where it rightfully belongs, it also allows us to work with First Nations arts leader Emily Coleman to create an ongoing schools touring version of ROVERS (which premiered at Brisbane Festival in 2018 and had a national tour in 2021).
"We can't wait to share these works with Queensland audiences."
Background information:
- First Nations Commissioning Fund (Round 4) will open for new applications on 29 January 2024 and close at 2pm on 11 March 2024.
- To view the list of recipients for round 3 of the First Nations Commissioning Fund visit: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/aq-first-nations-commissioning-fund.
- Queensland Arts Showcase Program (Round 5) will open for new applications on 4 March 2024 and close at 2pm 15 April 2024.
- To view the list of recipients for round 3 of the Queensland Arts Showcase Program visit: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/aq-queensland-arts-showcase-program.
