Recovery investment set to create new First Nations work and grow career sustainability

Published Friday, 15 October, 2021 at 02:42 PM

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The Palaszczuk Government has today opened the second round of the First Nations Commissioning Fund to support uniquely Queensland Indigenous stories in the Arts.

 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Australia is home to the longest continuous living cultures in the world, and sharing stories of history, heritage, culture and country is vital to maintaining connections for future generations.

 

“With a focus on delivering the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery, this next stage investment through our two-year $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package will help grow career sustainability and ensure First Nations artists and communities emerge with strength following the impact of COVID-19.

 

“The release of round two of the First Nations Commissioning Fund is testament to the incredible arts and cultural outcomes being achieved by the 19 recipients of round one, who shared in more than $836,000 to elevate First Nations arts, share stories and celebrate storytellers,” Minister Enoch said.

 

This program also helps create employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers, strengthening cultural stories and expanding opportunities for Queenslanders to experience work by First Nations artists across a range of art forms.”

 

Minister Enoch said successful recipients from the first round were creating exceptional arts and cultural experiences across Queensland.

 

“Outcomes included Weredingo, a contemporary dance–theatre work developed by Gold Coast-based Karul Projects and presented at the 2021 Brisbane Festival, which also has the potential to tour further to engage wider audiences.

 

“In addition, the Cairns-based Ngamumu Collective are creating a new theatre work inspired by the company’s popular program of mothers and babies coming together to create spaces of cultural strength and artistic expression during the first 1000 days,” Ms Enoch said. 

 

Ms Colleen Sam of MOONKS Indigenous Art on Furniture received $27,500 through Round 1.

 

“Receiving First Nations Commissioning Fund helped to tell my peoples stories (Kalkadunga), which was the most important thing. Ours is an oral history, kept in my family for over 140 years. This allowed me to work with my Elders to share this with a wider public. It gave my family a voice to add our part to history,” Ms Sam said.

 

 Since the onset of COVID-19, the Queensland Government has committed to more than $79 million in measures including a dedicated $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package and further $7 million to support the Live Music sector.   

 

“The arts are key to delivering our Government’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders,” Ms Enoch said.

 

“The First Nations Commissioning Fund delivers on the Queensland Government’s aim to elevate First Nations arts as part of Creative Together 10-year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity.”

 

First Nations Commissioning Fund round 2 applications are open now 15 October 2021 and will close at 4pm, 26 November 2021.

 

For more information, go to: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding/first-nations-commissioning-fund

 

 

ENDS

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Philip Pope 0437 859987