Far North Queensland Indigenous artists set for success
Published Wednesday, 07 May, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Arts Minister Rod Welford today announced a new era for Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists in Far North Queensland, setting out details of the four-year Backing Indigenous Arts initiative.
Speaking in Cairns, Mr Welford said the Bligh Government’s $10.73 million program (2007-2010) would help build a more sustainable Indigenous arts industry.
“Two of the key components of the Backing Indigenous Arts initiative are the Building Skills and Opportunities projects and providing funding to Indigenous arts centres and hubs,” Mr Welford said.
“Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists from Far North Queensland are already making their mark in the art world and Backing Indigenous Arts will help even more talented artists from this region create successful careers in the arts.
“We want to see new and emerging artists developing their skills through training and industry partnerships and we want to showcase their work to expose them to new audiences, here and overseas.
“We aim to achieve this through a range of partnerships with key organisations and government agencies to deliver the four platforms of Backing Indigenous Arts – the 15 art centres and hubs; a dedicated printmaking centre in Cairns; an Indigenous art marketplace also in Cairns; and projects that help build skills and opportunities.”
Mr Welford said in the first round of funding, nine art centres and arts hubs across Far North Queensland would share in $838,622 in 2007-08: Erub (Darnley Island); Girringun Aboriginal Corporation; Hope Vale Art Centre; Lockhart River Art Centre; Mornington Island Art and Craft Centre; Wik and Kugu Art and Craft Centre (Aurukun); Cairns Hub (UMI Arts); Gab Titui Cultural Centre (Thursday Island) and Weipa Hub.
“Our Government will also invest an additional $386,378 in capital works projects, taking the total spend on arts centres and hubs to $1.225 million in 2007-08,” he said.
“A further $805,571 is funding Building Skills and Opportunities projects in 2007-08.
“In the first round of funding there are 25 projects to build skills and opportunities, including school holiday workshops in Torres Strait, Cairns, Weipa and the Western Cape; a writing for radio project with the BBC; and Indigenous dance and music programs.
“Expressions of interest will be called for the second round of projects later in 2008.”
The Backing Indigenous Arts program is also supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS), a bilateral agreement with the Queensland and Australian governments. VACS will contribute $600,000 per annum towards Indigenous infrastructure.
A complete list of 2007-08 funding for arts centres and hubs, and Building Skills and Opportunities projects follows.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
BACKING INDIGENOUS ARTS FUNDING – ARTS CENTRES AND HUBS, BUILDING SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Indigenous Art Centre Operational Funding 2007-08
Erub (Darnley Island) - $25,000
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation - $100,000
Hope Vale Art Centre - $93,622
Lockhart River Art Centre - $91,000
Mornington Island Art and Craft Centre - $54,000
Wik and Kugu Art and Craft Centre, Aurukun - $100,000
Cairns Hub - $50,000
Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island - $100,000
Weipa Hub - $125,000
UMI Arts - $100,000
Total - $838,622
Indigenous Art Centre Capital Works Funding 2007-08
Total - $386,378
Building Skills and Opportunities 2007-08 projects
Artist in residence programs in New Mapoon (two projects: $20,000 for project 1 and $18,000 for project 2) - Two artist in residence programs to develop business skills for commissions and sales to galleries and buyers.
Umbrella Studio Printmaking Classes, $22,500 - Far North Queensland artists to run master printmaking classes for Indigenous artists of the Townsville region.
Carpentaria Ghost Nets Enterprise, $30,000 - Create local income for Aboriginal communities by recycling discarded net materials into wearable art and bags.
Healing Journeys Health partnership, $30,000 - An arts initiative to promote the role of the arts in Indigenous mental health, culminating in an exhibition to be presented as part of an international conference in Cairns.
Port Douglas Carnivale, $24,800 - The Mossman Gorge Aboriginal communities and artists to participate in the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale in Port Douglas.
Artists in residence in schools, $50,000 - Education Queensland to run a series of artists in Far North Queensland schools on Thursday Island, Darnley Island, Weipa, Cairns, Lockhart River and Aurukun.
Indigenous Dance and Music initiatives in Cairns, $60,000 - A concert series of Indigenous artists at the Tanks Arts Centre and a recording project.
Training scan in Far North Queensland, $25,000 - Conduct a needs analysis to ensure the next generation of performing artists is provided with culturally appropriate training and professional development.
Festival of Pacific Arts, $30,000 - Far North Queensland artists to join a national delegation of 30 people representing Australia at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts which celebrates the Indigenous cultures in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, craft and new media.
Woomera Aboriginal Corporation, Mornington Island (two projects: $50,000 for project 1 and $10,000 for project 2) -
• Develop core activities including youth programs, artist in residence and professional development to improve quality and marketability of product
• Develop business planning
Cultural Tourism, Mornington Island, $25,000 - Develop a workable model for community based, low impact, high yield cultural tourism initiatives.
Gulf Biennial Festival, Mornington Island, $25,000 - Develop the Gulf Biennial Festival as a means of fostering cultural retention and to showcase high quality visual arts and performance from the Gulf communities.
Laura Dance Festival, $25,000 - Develop a model for utilising local cultural strengths to diversify revenue streams and grow local employment for the community through cultural tourism.
Writing for Radio, Far North Queensland, $50,000 - A partnership with BBC World Radio and 99.8FM Murri Radio to develop Indigenous writing and content.
Hope Vale Youth Arts, $115,000 - Pilot a skills and community development program building on the successful model developed at Cherbourg, Woorabinda and Palm Island.
On the Edge exhibition, $18,271 - Nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will create work for this exhibition which celebrates the tropical coastline from Cairns to the Torres Strait.
Cairns Hub pilot and residencies, $26,000 - Regionally based Indigenous artists from Coen and Mossman Gorge will develop their professional skills in association with Tanks Arts Centre.
Western Cape artists, $15,000 - Artists from Napranum, Weipa and Mapoon will produce a body of work to exhibit during NAIDOC Week in Cairns, facilitated by TAFE.
Billy Missi exhibition catalogue, Moa Island, $12,000 - The production of a professional catalogue to accompany Billy Missi’s first solo exhibition at KickArts Contemporary Arts.
Carving mentorship, Lockhart River, $9,000 - Artist Silas Hobson to mentor young apprentices over three weeks.
Torres Strait Myths and Legends, $40,000 - Review and republish the book Torres Strait Myths and Legends.
Brisbane Festival, $50,000 - A mentorship program for 15 young Indigenous artists from Far North Queensland to be involved in the The Black Arm Band concert with Kev Carmody, Troy Cassar-Daly, Jimmy Little and other prominent artists.
The Dreaming, $25,000 - Presenting Far North Queensland dancers and artists to perform, weave and share traditional stories and spiritual knowledge.
Total - $805,571
Speaking in Cairns, Mr Welford said the Bligh Government’s $10.73 million program (2007-2010) would help build a more sustainable Indigenous arts industry.
“Two of the key components of the Backing Indigenous Arts initiative are the Building Skills and Opportunities projects and providing funding to Indigenous arts centres and hubs,” Mr Welford said.
“Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists from Far North Queensland are already making their mark in the art world and Backing Indigenous Arts will help even more talented artists from this region create successful careers in the arts.
“We want to see new and emerging artists developing their skills through training and industry partnerships and we want to showcase their work to expose them to new audiences, here and overseas.
“We aim to achieve this through a range of partnerships with key organisations and government agencies to deliver the four platforms of Backing Indigenous Arts – the 15 art centres and hubs; a dedicated printmaking centre in Cairns; an Indigenous art marketplace also in Cairns; and projects that help build skills and opportunities.”
Mr Welford said in the first round of funding, nine art centres and arts hubs across Far North Queensland would share in $838,622 in 2007-08: Erub (Darnley Island); Girringun Aboriginal Corporation; Hope Vale Art Centre; Lockhart River Art Centre; Mornington Island Art and Craft Centre; Wik and Kugu Art and Craft Centre (Aurukun); Cairns Hub (UMI Arts); Gab Titui Cultural Centre (Thursday Island) and Weipa Hub.
“Our Government will also invest an additional $386,378 in capital works projects, taking the total spend on arts centres and hubs to $1.225 million in 2007-08,” he said.
“A further $805,571 is funding Building Skills and Opportunities projects in 2007-08.
“In the first round of funding there are 25 projects to build skills and opportunities, including school holiday workshops in Torres Strait, Cairns, Weipa and the Western Cape; a writing for radio project with the BBC; and Indigenous dance and music programs.
“Expressions of interest will be called for the second round of projects later in 2008.”
The Backing Indigenous Arts program is also supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS), a bilateral agreement with the Queensland and Australian governments. VACS will contribute $600,000 per annum towards Indigenous infrastructure.
A complete list of 2007-08 funding for arts centres and hubs, and Building Skills and Opportunities projects follows.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
BACKING INDIGENOUS ARTS FUNDING – ARTS CENTRES AND HUBS, BUILDING SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Indigenous Art Centre Operational Funding 2007-08
Erub (Darnley Island) - $25,000
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation - $100,000
Hope Vale Art Centre - $93,622
Lockhart River Art Centre - $91,000
Mornington Island Art and Craft Centre - $54,000
Wik and Kugu Art and Craft Centre, Aurukun - $100,000
Cairns Hub - $50,000
Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island - $100,000
Weipa Hub - $125,000
UMI Arts - $100,000
Total - $838,622
Indigenous Art Centre Capital Works Funding 2007-08
Total - $386,378
Building Skills and Opportunities 2007-08 projects
Artist in residence programs in New Mapoon (two projects: $20,000 for project 1 and $18,000 for project 2) - Two artist in residence programs to develop business skills for commissions and sales to galleries and buyers.
Umbrella Studio Printmaking Classes, $22,500 - Far North Queensland artists to run master printmaking classes for Indigenous artists of the Townsville region.
Carpentaria Ghost Nets Enterprise, $30,000 - Create local income for Aboriginal communities by recycling discarded net materials into wearable art and bags.
Healing Journeys Health partnership, $30,000 - An arts initiative to promote the role of the arts in Indigenous mental health, culminating in an exhibition to be presented as part of an international conference in Cairns.
Port Douglas Carnivale, $24,800 - The Mossman Gorge Aboriginal communities and artists to participate in the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale in Port Douglas.
Artists in residence in schools, $50,000 - Education Queensland to run a series of artists in Far North Queensland schools on Thursday Island, Darnley Island, Weipa, Cairns, Lockhart River and Aurukun.
Indigenous Dance and Music initiatives in Cairns, $60,000 - A concert series of Indigenous artists at the Tanks Arts Centre and a recording project.
Training scan in Far North Queensland, $25,000 - Conduct a needs analysis to ensure the next generation of performing artists is provided with culturally appropriate training and professional development.
Festival of Pacific Arts, $30,000 - Far North Queensland artists to join a national delegation of 30 people representing Australia at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts which celebrates the Indigenous cultures in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, craft and new media.
Woomera Aboriginal Corporation, Mornington Island (two projects: $50,000 for project 1 and $10,000 for project 2) -
• Develop core activities including youth programs, artist in residence and professional development to improve quality and marketability of product
• Develop business planning
Cultural Tourism, Mornington Island, $25,000 - Develop a workable model for community based, low impact, high yield cultural tourism initiatives.
Gulf Biennial Festival, Mornington Island, $25,000 - Develop the Gulf Biennial Festival as a means of fostering cultural retention and to showcase high quality visual arts and performance from the Gulf communities.
Laura Dance Festival, $25,000 - Develop a model for utilising local cultural strengths to diversify revenue streams and grow local employment for the community through cultural tourism.
Writing for Radio, Far North Queensland, $50,000 - A partnership with BBC World Radio and 99.8FM Murri Radio to develop Indigenous writing and content.
Hope Vale Youth Arts, $115,000 - Pilot a skills and community development program building on the successful model developed at Cherbourg, Woorabinda and Palm Island.
On the Edge exhibition, $18,271 - Nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will create work for this exhibition which celebrates the tropical coastline from Cairns to the Torres Strait.
Cairns Hub pilot and residencies, $26,000 - Regionally based Indigenous artists from Coen and Mossman Gorge will develop their professional skills in association with Tanks Arts Centre.
Western Cape artists, $15,000 - Artists from Napranum, Weipa and Mapoon will produce a body of work to exhibit during NAIDOC Week in Cairns, facilitated by TAFE.
Billy Missi exhibition catalogue, Moa Island, $12,000 - The production of a professional catalogue to accompany Billy Missi’s first solo exhibition at KickArts Contemporary Arts.
Carving mentorship, Lockhart River, $9,000 - Artist Silas Hobson to mentor young apprentices over three weeks.
Torres Strait Myths and Legends, $40,000 - Review and republish the book Torres Strait Myths and Legends.
Brisbane Festival, $50,000 - A mentorship program for 15 young Indigenous artists from Far North Queensland to be involved in the The Black Arm Band concert with Kev Carmody, Troy Cassar-Daly, Jimmy Little and other prominent artists.
The Dreaming, $25,000 - Presenting Far North Queensland dancers and artists to perform, weave and share traditional stories and spiritual knowledge.
Total - $805,571