NATIONAL REGIONAL ARTS CONFERENCE IN MACKAY OPENS

The role of the arts in strengthening regional communities and developing cultural tourism opportunities will be discussed at a national conference in Mackay from today until Sunday (17 September).

Arts Minister, Rod Welford, said the Pacific Edge conference in Mackay would be the largest national conference on regional arts ever held in Australia.

“The arts play a vital role in our regional communities, with more than 2.5 million regional Australians participating in local arts activities each year,” Mr Welford said.

“The Pacific Edge conference will celebrate and stimulate the passion of the people who live and work in regional, rural and remote communities.

“Our Government is proud to be a major sponsor of this event, which is bringing together people who work in the arts across Australia and internationally to focus on regional arts.

“About 700 people are participating in the conference, including 400 people from interstate and overseas.”

Representatives from the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand and the Unites States are attending the conference.

Mr Welford said the conference would look at the role of the arts to strengthen regional centres, build community capacity, support practice in Indigenous communities and develop economic opportunities through cultural tourism.

“Part conference and part festival, this is also an opportunity for Queensland artists, particularly those in the Mackay community, to showcase their work to a broad audience,” he said.

“I hope the delegates to the conference enjoy their time in Mackay and Queensland and they take away with them knowledge and experiences that will further strengthen the arts in our regional areas.”

The Pacific Edge is Regional Arts Australia’s national conference held biennially in Australia. The Queensland Arts Council is a member of Regional Arts Australia and has organised the conference in Mackay.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985