NEW AWARDS ENCOURAGE THE CREATIVE GENERATION

Queensland’s next Geoffrey Rush, Bernard Fanning or Stephen Page may be discovered in an exciting new awards program aimed at senior students wanting to pursue a career in the arts.

Minister for Education, Training and the Arts, Rod Welford, said up to 130 talented Queensland senior students would take part in the Creative Generation Student Excellence Awards program next year.

“This program offers students who are passionate about a career in the arts a chance to shine,” Mr Welford.

“The Creative Generation Awards will recognise talented seniors in the areas of contemporary and instrumental music; dance; drama; film, television and new media; and visual art and design.

“This program builds on the success of the Education Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Art, which has been running for the last 18 years, and the Musically Outstanding Students (MOST) program.

“New excellence awards have been introduced in the areas of dance, drama, contemporary music and film, television and new media.”

Mr Welford said the program would bring together students from metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

“They will be given the opportunity to extend their talents, share achievements with other students, and learn from some of Queensland’s top arts industry professionals,” he said.

“This program of excellence aims to nurture our future artists to ensure they play an integral role in further enhancing and developing the creativity of our state.

“I’m delighted that students in their senior years will be connected with our state’s leading arts practitioners through a series of hands-on workshops.

“This collaboration between the students and the creative thinkers of Queensland is an important investment for the future of the Smart State.

“I encourage our next generation of artists to take advantage of this exciting opportunity and I look forward to hearing and seeing their creative work in the future.”

Information kits about the Creative Generation Awards will be mailed to schools before the end of Term 4 this year.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000