New creative partnership promotes arts and cultural exchange

A new exchange program will see expertise from the USA used in the design and establishment of a creative hub for young people at the Cultural Centre on Brisbane’s South Bank.

Highly qualified US-based creative consultant Liz Slagus, who has worked extensively on the acclaimed Eyebeam project in New York, will take up the first of these creative exchanges in Brisbane in 2009.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said Ms Slagus would work with Arts Queensland and the State Library of Queensland to develop The Edge digital culture project, as well as deliver a series of public lectures and advise on a wide range of projects at Queensland University of Technology’s Creative Industries.

”The Government has laid out Queensland’s welcome mat for quality overseas creative talent in 2009 during the Department of Education, Training and the Arts’ Year of Creativity,” Mr Lucas said.

“Queensland Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, met today (20 January US) with Ms Slagus while visiting New York to attend G’Day USA Australia Week events.

“The Government is very pleased that the Governor has been able to see the Eyebeam project and experience it as a prime example of a creative digital environment.

“Her high-level visit is another step towards developing strong international links between Queensland’s digital art community and overseas technology organisations like Eyebeam.”

Arts Minister Rod Welford said this cultural exchange was a partnership between the State Library of Queensland, Arts Queensland and Queensland University of Technology’s Creative Industries Department.

“These creative exchanges will attract leading international cultural experts to work with artists, educators and community members,” Mr Welford said.

“Queenslanders will benefit from the experts’ knowledge, experience and connections..

“Ms Slagus will take up her exchange next month and her expertise and experience will help develop facilities and programs to enable young Queenslanders to creatively engage with digital technology at The Edge, just as they do with Eyebeam in New York.”

Eyebeam is an art and technology centre for digital research and experimentation. It is a hive of creativity and thought, where artists and technologists actively engage with culture to address the issues and concerns of our time.

Combining dialogue between curators, artists and students of various practices and stages of development, Eyebeam informs and inspires the creation of artworks that may not previously have been imagined or produced.

The Edge will be a world-class centre for digital culture and is scheduled to open in late 2009.

Media inquiries:
Acting Premier’s Office: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868
Arts Minister’s Office: Emma Clarey on 07 3237 1000