Brisbane Festival to boost jobs and showcase local talent

Brisbane Festival to boost jobs and showcase local talent

Brisbane will come alive with captivating arts experiences when Brisbane Festival returns with a new and innovative program in September.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the iconic festival would help strengthen the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery, employing more than 700 Queensland artists.

“The arts sector was one of the first impacted by COVID-19 and will likely be one of the last to recover,” Minister Enoch said.

“By supporting events such as Brisbane Festival we can provide much needed employment, skills and training opportunities to help our artists and arts workers as they recover from the global economic impacts.

“The 2020 festival has found innovative ways to deliver their program which will spread joy and hope through 190 suburbs with pop-up performances, concerts in cul-de-sacs, art installations and numerous free events.

“A highly anticipated event on Queensland’s cultural calendar, the festival will showcase our world-class talent, bring communities together and boost tourism opportunities.”

The 2020 program returns from 4 to 26 September, celebrating live music, comedy, drama and dance through 490 performances.

Program highlights include opening event Jumoo, a city-wide smoking ceremony and Sunsuper Night Sky, a new city-wide laser, light and sound show.

Audiences will also enjoy 28 new works commissioned specifically for this year’s festival, with key performances at South Bank, Brisbane Powerhouse and Metro Arts’ new home at West Village, West End.

The Palaszczuk Government’s investment in Brisbane Festival includes additional support for 10 new performing arts residencies.

The Working Title creative residences supported through Arts Queensland, will see the creation of new performance works by top Queensland artists, with some presented during the festival.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said events like Brisbane Festival would play an important role in the state’s economic recovery.

“Major events like this pump thousands of dollars back into the local businesses, support local jobs and help to rebuild our economy,” Ms Jones said.

“Because Queenslanders have done such a great job fighting COVID-19, we can now welcome tourists back to our state.

“This event will deliver a great boost for local businesses at a time when everyone is doing it tough.

“Only the Palaszczuk Government has a plan to rebuild our economy and create local jobs. Events like this that support local businesses and local jobs are crucial to that strategy.”

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said her debut ‘Boldly Brisbane’ program had been meticulously curated to bring personal and human connection back to everyday life.

“The past months have been challenging for many of us and now, more than ever, Brisbane needs hope, inspiration and celebration” Ms Bezzina said.

“Programming this year’s festival was a bumpy ride but one that allowed us to stretch our imagination, redefine the expectations and experiences of an international arts festival and really shine a light on the rich seam of exceptional world-class talent running through this city and this state.

“Brisbane is home to incredible artists and Brisbane Festival is thrilled to have the opportunity to employ the largest number of Queensland artists in our history to help deliver a Boldly Brisbane Festival that will revitalise and uplift our city.

“I cannot wait to bring the unexpected and the delightful to Brisbane with a line-up unlike any presented before.”

The Palaszczuk Government invests in Brisbane Festival as part of the commitment to support arts and culture while driving important economic, social and health outcomes for Queenslanders.

For more information and to view the full program, visit https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

ENDS

Media Contact: Bridget Druery 0435 221 246