More than $800,000 in funding for Queensland arts

Queensland arts projects are receiving a funding boost from the Palaszczuk Government, with 21 projects sharing in $812,037 of funding in the latest round of the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) to deliver diverse cultural experiences across the state.  

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this investment supported the development of new works and arts experiences that connect communities, address important local social issues, create employment opportunities and build creative skills and career pathways.

“The arts is key to delivering the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery, each year injecting $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders,” Minister Enoch said.

“Projects across the state will be supported through this latest round of funding, which means more employment opportunities for artists and arts workers throughout Queensland.

“Since opening in September 2015, 506 applicants have received more than $18 million in funding support through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program.

“The program was redesigned in 2020, in consultation with the arts sector, with a renewed focus on supporting social outcomes in communities, stabilising arts companies and driving employment in the creative industries.”

Among the recipients in this round, Lucient Productions will develop a new play, Bubu Gujin – Land Owner, written in the endangered traditional language Guugu Yimithirr and in English, employing First Nations arts workers and creating a centralized digital knowledge platform documenting the project’s development.

Cairns, Longreach and Charleville will enjoy a program of events as part of WOW AUSTRALIA 2021, celebrating the stories and lives of women and girls through performances, exhibitions, and story-telling, while Noosa’s Floating Land Biennale 2021 will deliver a 16-day program presenting temporary public artworks engaging and collaborating with the natural environment.

Gold Coast’s Gogi Dance Collective, who received over $25,000 in funding in 2020, developed new work You Don’t Know Jack and Kitty with an aim to reach new audiences.

Ashleigh White, dancer and performer from Gogi Dance Collective, said the funding greatly assisted the company to open up connections with new networks beyond the Gold Coast with plans to present the next stage of their work this year.

“This will also create a model for touring so that the company can take work further around the country’s lawn bowls clubs,” Ms White said.

For more information about Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP), and other Arts Queensland funding programs, visit www.arts.qld.gov.au

Applications for QASP Round 3 are now open, for more information visit: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding

Media contact:          Bridget Druery           0435 221246