ARTS BRIEFING IN ROCKHAMPTON TOMORROW

The Rockhampton arts community will have the opportunity to learn more about the new directions for Queensland’s arts and cultural sector at an information session tomorrow.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said a special information session will be held at the Walter Reid Centre in Rockhampton to outline the recently released Queensland Arts Industry Sector Development Plan 2007-2009 and the new funding guidelines for arts project grants.

“This sector plan aims to better focus our arts resources, continue developing Queensland’s artistic and cultural strengths and help make our state a leader in creativity and innovation,” Mr Welford said.

“Senior Arts Queensland staff will be at the information session to outline this new direction to the local community and answer questions from the public.

“This is an important opportunity for artists, artsworkers and the arts community in the Rockhampton area to meet and discuss the changes.

“The Rockhampton briefing will include a session on the new guidelines for the Arts Sector Project Grants Program, one of the most popular and important funding programs for Queensland’s arts and cultural community.”

Mr Welford said the project grants funding was changed in response to community consultation and had been simplified into two flexible categories:

• Career Development Grants of up to $5000 for individual artists, artsworkers and designers; and
• Development and Presentation Grants of up to $50,000 for creation and presentation of new work, or promotion and showcasing of commissioned and existing work. These grants are open to individual artists, artsworkers, designers, community groups, and arts and cultural groups, organisations and creative businesses.

Applications for the grants are now open and funding decisions are made twice a year.

The information session will be held at the Walter Reid Centre, cnr East and Derby Streets, from 5.30pm to 7pm tomorrow (Thursday 29 March).

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