Win for Queensland performing arts company

After months of lobbying the Federal Government, the Palaszczuk Government has helped secure a place for Queensland-based company Circa in the Major Performing Arts Framework.

Attending the Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Adelaide today, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this was a huge win for the Queensland arts sector. Today’s announcement comes off the back of Circa being named the winner of the Premier of Queensland’s Export Award for Creative Industries last night.

“Circa Contemporary Circus, from Queensland, is one of the world’s leading performing arts companies and for it to be invited to be part of a network of major national arts organisations is a huge win for our state,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been calling for Circa to be included in the Major Performing Arts Framework, and an invitation for the company to be part of the framework was finally agreed to today at the Meeting of Cultural Ministers.

“Circa is a dynamic contemporary circus company that has showcased the best of Australian circus to the world.

“This invitation is a testament to their years of artistic excellence and strength as an organisation, so it is terrific to see them receiving the recognition as a major organisation they deserve.”

Minister Enoch said Circa would join four other National Performing Arts organisations from Queensland, including Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government will also continue to call for Queensland’s fair share of Arts funding from the Federal Government, to support the whole of Queensland’s vibrant arts ecology including major and small to medium sized companies, and independent artists.

“We will continue to fight for a fairer deal for Queensland artists and organisations.”

Circa artistic director Yaron Lifschitz said this was an exciting achievement for their company.

“This is a transformative moment for Circa, and will help increase our ability to continue delivering extraordinary arts experiences throughout the state, across the country and around the world,” he said.

“I would like to thank Minister Enoch and the team at Arts Queensland for their advocacy at a national level, and for believing in us as an organisation.

“This is an important milestone for Circa, and for the wider arts sector.

“Circa is proud to be a Queensland arts organisation and to be ambassadors for our State.”

At today’s meeting, Minister Enoch also said cultural ministers agreed to changes to the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy to reflect more accurate population levels.

“This will mean a funding boost for Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.

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