New funding raises the bar for Queensland arts companies

Acting Arts Minister Margaret Keech today announced the outcomes of the State Government’s new funding model for small to medium arts companies, saying seven organisations would receive funding for the first time in 2008.

Ms Keech said the new funding model, s2m, signalled a new era for the Queensland’s arts companies.

“These funding arrangements are about breathing new life into the small to medium arts sector, by supporting the entry of new organisations into the mix,” Ms Keech said.

“It delivers $8.462 million in 2008 to 43 Queensland arts companies delivering music, dance, visual arts, design craft, new media, writing and theatre.

“The s2m program is designed to revitalise and sustain the sector, and accordingly, seven arts companies will be receiving funding support for the first time in 2008.

“These companies are Clocked Out Productions, Topology, Zen Zen Zo, Multimedia Art Asia Pacific (MAAP), Queensland Centre for Photography, Brisbane Cabaret Festival and Swell Currumbin Sculpture Festival.”

Ms Keech said the new funding framework was announced in May, replacing an unsustainable system which had no flexibility to address new opportunities.

“Arts Queensland went through a rigorous decision making process regarding recommendations for funding, drawing on the knowledge and experience of arts industry experts,” she said.

“Arts companies were consulted thoroughly during this process, including letters to inform them of the new funding guidelines, and a series of meetings and workshops.

“While some arts companies will have their funding reduced under the new arrangements, s2m will provide valuable opportunities for dynamic new companies and organisations to enter the market.”

Ms Keech said the Government maintained its overall funding of $9.6 million to the small to medium sector – the highest funding level in the country.

“The s2m funding pool sets aside over $1 million for a new set of industry development initiatives (IDIs) which focus on creative and business development,” she said.

“The IDIs funding is more flexible and will benefit a number of regions with, in many cases, additional investment from local councils and businesses.”

The full list of 2008 s2m funding recipients is as follows:

New recipients of annual funding:

Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Clocked Out Productions, Brisbane; Topology, Brisbane; Zen Zen Zo, Brisbane; Multimedia Art Asia Pacific (MAAP), Brisbane; Queensland Centre for Photography, Brisbane; and Swell Currumbin Sculpture Festival, Gold Coast.

Other recipients of annual funding:

Arts Nexus, Cairns and FNQ; Catalyst Youth Arts, Brisbane; Playlab, Brisbane; Elision, Brisbane; Expressions Dance Company, Brisbane; Queensland Arts Council Touring, Queensland; Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts management, Cairns; Crossroad Arts Inc, Mackay and Central Qld; Museum and Gallery Services Qld Ltd, Queensland; Brisbane Writers Festival, Brisbane; La Boite Theatre Company, Brisbane; University of Queensland Press, Brisbane; Queensland Youth Orchestras, Brisbane; Flying Arts, Regional Queensland; Artworkers, Brisbane.

Recipients of triennial funding:

Access Arts, Brisbane; Contact Inc, Brisbane/Regional Qld; Feral Arts Inc, Brisbane/Regional Qld; La Luna Youth Arts Assoc Inc, Townsville; Youth Arts Queensland, Brisbane; Metro Arts, Brisbane; Just Us Theatre Ensemble, Cairns; Backbone Youth Arts, Brisbane; Circa, Brisbane; Queensland Writers Centre, Brisbane; Ausdance, Brisbane; Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville; Dance North, Townsville; QMusic, Brisbane; Southern Cross Soloists, Brisbane; Artisan, Brisbane; Eyeline Publishing, Brisbane; Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane; Kick Arts, Cairns; Umbrella Studios, Townsville; Woomera Aboriginal Corporation, Far North Queensland.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000