Funding helping Queensland artists take off

Twelve home-grown artists are focused on the next level in their careers with a new round of arts funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said more than $80,000 would strengthen the artists’ skills and careers and make a positive impact across the local sector.

“Arts Queensland’s Individuals Fund helps propel careers to new heights and gives artists the chance to develop new markets and audiences for their work both nationally and internationally,” Minister Enoch said.

“This initiative allows Queensland artists to improve and inform their practice by connecting with leading arts practitioners and companies right across the globe.

“One of the recipients is Miiesha Young, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Woorabinda who will collaborate with a Melbourne producer to record original RnB-soul music with strong cultural elements to build understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“Miiesha wrote and recorded her first song at 14 and is a fantastic Queensland talent with a big future ahead of her.

“Another recipient is contemporary artist Aaron Butt, from Ningi, who will undertake a residency at Stichting Open Ateliers Zuidoost in Amsterdam, to research conceptual art practice in the 1960s and 1970s ahead of his two-part solo exhibition on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.”

Minister Enoch said Queensland was home to extraordinarily talented artists.

“This Government is committed to nurturing our artists and helping provide pathways for them to develop and flourish.”

For more information about Arts Queensland’s Individuals Fund visit www.arts.qld.gov.au

A full list of recipients is below.

Individuals Fund Round 2 2018 recipients:

• Dr Paula Dunlop, Paddington – $9800 to undertake an intensive studio and international networking program in New York with Residency Unlimited
• Pete Murray, Camp Hill – $9810 to support a solo live performance tour of England, The Netherlands and Germany, to develop audience and commercial opportunities, including 10 shows in November 2018
• Kate Taylor, Spring Hill – $6800 to engage in photography mentorship and creative residency at leading US dance company Ballet West
• Andrew Tuttle, New Farm – $5000 to help raise international profile through market development tour of the UK and Europe, including 18 performances supporting American songwriter Ryley Walker and meetings with industry and media
• Aaron Butt, Ningi – $2000 to support residency at Stichting Open Ateliers Zuidoost, Amsterdam, researching conceptual art practice in the 1960s and 1970s
• Robert Andrew, Petrie Terrace – $6860 to support the creation of a kinetic artwork to be installed in the Art Gallery of New South Wales and exhibited as part of the high-profile National 2019 exhibition
• Emily Blitner, New Farm – $8222 to develop artist profile and industry relationships in the Canadian market by showcasing at Folk Alliance International in Montreal and undertaking  industry meetings to secure agent, management and label support
• Tamara Lazaroff, Highgate Hill – $3407 to attend two-week international intensive in Tbilisi, Georgia, to develop skills in creative non-fiction (personal essay writing) and advance a manuscript in the genre
• Jordan Azcune, Spring Hill – $10,000 to support studio/mentorship-based learning project, in association with Urban Arts Projects (UAP) and Hassell Architects, centring on developing and creating artworks based on newly acquired skills.
• Nicola Hooper, Shailer Park – $4856 to create stone lithographic prints over 15 days at Black Church Print Studio, Dublin, exploring the 19^th-century book Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland by Lady Francesca Speranza Wilde
• Ashleigh Musk, Annerley – $3506 to support two international professional development opportunities (attending the Ice Hot Nordic Dance Platform in Reykjavik, Iceland, and participating in the day Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Valletta, Malta) to strengthen networks and develop skills in producing, programming and audience development
• Miiesha Young, Woorabinda – $10,000 to support recording of original, contemporary, RnB-soul music collection through collaboration with Melbourne-based producer and studio

Media contact: 0437 859 987