Arts funding helps deliver 25 new projects throughout Queensland

A 20-episode podcast, a two-woman comedy show and an outdoor audio-visual experience that illuminates First Nations stories are amongst the 25 new arts and cultural projects that will share in more than $925,000 in funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

In announcing the latest round of funding from the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP), Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this investment will help deliver arts and cultural experiences across the state.

“The Queensland Arts Showcase Program provides artists and arts organisations with the opportunity to bring their projects to life and provide immersive arts experiences for Queenslanders,” Minister Enoch said.

“Funding has been allocated across the state to support a range of regional activities that engages local communities, supports skill development and provides employment opportunities for the arts sector, which is part of our plan for economic recovery.

“Since opening in September 2015, 527 applicants have shared in more than $19 million in funding through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program.

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

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program was redesigned in 2020 in consultation with the arts sector to include a strong focus on supporting social outcomes in communities, stabilising arts companies and driving employment in the creatives industries.

The latest round of recipients will see the delivery of a unique range of projects.

In Cairns, Mezmerize Production has received funding to help engage First Nations artists and arts workers to develop the project ‘Shine’, an immersive, audio-visual experience that will illuminate the culture and stories of Cairns First Nations peoples in a public art installation in October 2021 on the Cairns Esplanade.

Karul Projects is also receiving $30,250 for the premiere of Weredingo (formerly known as SSHIFTT), a performance produced by BlakDance.

Karul Projects Co-Artistic Director Thomas E.S. Kelly said: “Weredingo is a new dance work challenging what you think you know about shapeshifting. The show has been four years in the making, and could not have happened without our producers at BlakDance, the support of Arts Queensland, Australia Council and our allied Queensland arts organisations.

“As a First Nations-led Gold Coast based performing arts company, we are so excited to premiere this work in our home state of Queensland.”

For more information, visit www.arts.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact:  Bridget Druery 0437 859 987

Recipients of Queensland Arts Showcase Program:

• Karul Projects - $30,250 for the premiere of Karul Projects’ Weredingo, produced by BlakDance. (Burleigh, Gold Coast, Brisbane)
• DE BASE PRODUCTIONS ASSOC INC - $16,300 to adapt and remount the work Leotard, a two-woman comedy for a season at Metro Arts. (Brisbane)
• Playlab Theatre - $59,941 to produce ‘Face-to-Face’ by Emily Wells a new work that explores traditional and contemporary First Nation’s identities through connection to country and community. (Brisbane)
• Mr Paul Bai - $14,400 to produce new works that will consist of a suite of three gallery-based works, as well as a multi-location performance work and an academic essay for the exhibition ‘Round About or Inside’. (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, Ipswich)
• Dots and Loops - $55,000 to produce a 20-episode podcast and video tutorial series, a fellowship program and a live music and arts festival in Brisbane in December. (Brisbane, Online)
• Griffith Review - $45,000 for eight Fellowships awarded to Queensland writers. (Brisbane).
• Book Links QLD Inc. - $5,420 to produce a two day festival for writers, illustrators, teachers and teacher-librarians focusing on excellence in children’s literature (Brisbane)
• Red Chair - $49,394 to develop The Keeper Activation participatory public art project engaging 11 Queensland artists and delivering arts engagement with 1200 locals and visitors. (Coolum Beach)
• Mr Nathan Sibthorpe - $59,755 to develop Counterpilot as part of a program of performance activities including two world premieres of new works, a remount of an acclaimed existing work, assorted creative development processes, and a responsive residency. (Brisbane, Darwin)
• Ms Danielle Latta - $9,279 to develop Tawny Trails, an interactive digital map of rural art galleries, open studios and local businesses, showcasing arts in the local area year-round as an all-immersive arts experience. Utilising a promotional website, promo video, art workshops, demonstrations and launch events. (Woodford, Ocean View, King Scrub, Dayboro, Clear Mountain, Samford)
• Ms Margaret Burgess - $54,471 to develop the proposed project Plastic Boutique 3: Healthy Planet – Regional Workshop Program featuring 50 community workshops and producing a large installation in Mackay. (Mackay, Dysart, Bowen, Glenden, Moranbah, Clermont, Flaggy Rock). 
• Mx Stace Callaghan - $27,526 to develop Stace Callaghan’s uplifting, autobiographical solo show Queer as Flux at Brisbane Powerhouse’s LGBTIQ+ MELT festival and produce a short stand-alone digital version. (Brisbane).
• Centre for Australasian - $29,200 to develop The Gathering – Everything Standing Up Alive in three culturally and geographically diverse regional environments inviting audience and artist engagement. (Cooktown, Julatten, Rossville)
• Mezmerize Production - $60,000 to develop “Shine”, an immersive, audio-visual experience on the Cairns Esplanade, illuminating the culture and stories of Cairns’ First Nations peoples. (Cairns)
• Logan City Council - $54,000 to develop Logan Live Music 2021 and offering professional development sessions, live music activations, and a music action plan to ensure the future direction of live music in Logan. (Logan)
• Briefs Factory International - $29,000 to develop and deliver the next stage of BRED, a new First Nations focused physical theatre production. (Woodford)
• Outback Festival Inc. - $49,370 for Topology to partner with The Winton Outback Festival for “Top Up Winton Outback Festival” featuring a multi arts performance work created by the Winton Community under the mentorship of Topology composers, musicians and arts workers. (Winton)    
• Digi Youth Arts - $30,000 to develop Restless Dream, a collaboration between Kamilaroi elder Uncle Bob Weatherall, Brisbane band Halfway, Digi Youth Arts and Alethea Beetson to create an immersive performance. (Brisbane)      
• Jugglers Art Space Inc - $59,200 to develop The Stairwell Project which will create employment for musicians through interactive, quality performances at Brisbane Hospitals, with the aim to bring social and health benefits. (Brisbane)
• Momentum Arts pty ltd. - $60,000 to develop The Big Anxiety Brisbane which will bring together artists, mental health professionals and the public to participate in world-class arts/well-being experiences. (Brisbane)
• Mr David Atkins - $31,000 to develop a music mentoring program that will guide three young First Nations musicians (16-23 years old) through the writing and production of an EP and supportive visual assets. (Brisbane)
• Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland - $17,240 to develop The Variety Kids Choir which is successfully enriching lives of people living with a physical and/or intellectual disability through quality engagement in fun and creative expression. (Brisbane)
• Mr Oliver Hetherington-Page - $24,177 to develop The No Bang Theory, an autobiographical cabaret about artist Oliver Hetherington-Page’s autism diagnosis. (Brisbane)
• Green Fox Training Studio Limited - $19,846 for the not-for-profit graphic design studio to operate a training facility inside a Queensland prison. (Brisbane)
• Metro Arts Ltd. - $35,365 to develop The Mechanics of Adaption, a collaboration between Metro Arts and Traction will involve skill-sharing between artists and young people and a collaboration to develop new work from decommissioned City Cycles. (Brisbane)