Strong Plan ensures bright future for arts in Queensland

Small towns and major regional cities will benefit from a $223 million Arts Budget that includes more than $6.5 million to develop regional arts and culture.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the 2014-15 State Budget continued to deliver a strong plan for a brighter future for all Queenslanders, regardless of where they lived.

“This budget outlines our plan to reduce debt so we can secure our finances while continuing to invest in the services Queenslanders expect and deserve,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We remain committed to growing a four pillar economy right across the state, and the Arts Budget delivers a targeted boost to our regional centres.”

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Arts for all Queenslanders election promise wasn’t an empty catchcry but a goal he was determined to deliver.

“We live in the most decentralised state in Australia where communities have a strong sense of who they are,” Mr Walker said.

“Local arts and culture, an integral part of community identity, has great potential to provide revenue and jobs in the regions.

“To support this, in 2014-2015 the Queensland Government is committing $2 million to the Regional Arts Development Fund, which delivers more than 3,000 arts and cultural projects annually.

“There’s also more than $2.6 million to the Playing Queensland Fund so that our major arts organisations can take tours of the ballet Coppelia and Australian drama Kelly around the state, while the Queensland Symphony Orchestra will go to Longreach and Mt Isa.

“Wherever they live, Queenslanders have an appetite for the arts and the major arts organisations always have the ambition to tour.

“Labor failed to understand this and the potential for growth in the industry when the right balance is achieved, but that is what the Queensland Government is doing.”

Mr Walker said the $223.6 million Arts Budget for 2014-15 included $127 million to Screen Queensland, the Queensland Theatre Company and the Cultural Precinct arts organisations Queensland Art Gallery – Gallery of Modern Art, State Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

The Budget also provides $7.3 million of the total $21.2 million for the triennial Organisations Fund, to support 35 arts companies around the state.

“This Budget supports the Queensland Government’s aim to increase returns on arts and cultural investment, while at the same time growing cultural tourism to ensure a bright future for the arts in Queensland,” he said.

[ENDS] 4 June 2014

Media contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332