Government investment grows new creative capacity and jobs through Brisbane Festival 2023

Published Friday, 30 June, 2023 at 03:00 PM

Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

 The Palaszczuk Government is investing $178,850 to support new jobs for arts workers as part of the Brisbane Festival Capacity Building program

  • This boost will enable Brisbane Festival to offer eight paid employment opportunities with a focus on production and technical skills
  • The Capacity Building program will see emerging creative practitioners work alongside professional artists and arts workers

Brisbane Festival is expanding Queensland’s creative workforce with support of $178,850 from the Queensland Government in a new initiative to boost arts sector capacity and grow employment opportunities.

This new investment will enable Brisbane Festival to provide paid opportunities for eight arts workers to develop their skills alongside professional artists and practitioners on major new projects and commissions to be presented as part of Brisbane Festival 2023.

Emerging arts workers, recent graduates, and technical production students can apply to work for Brisbane Festival 2023 as assistants in sound design, technical, wardrobe, lighting or as an assistant stage manager.

The Brisbane Festival Capacity Building program is part of a wider Queensland Government initiative supporting arts Industry Placements in a new offering introduced as part of Grow 2022 – 2026, the second action plan of the Creative Together 10-year roadmap, and integrated across arts funding programs to grow sector capacity, address skills gaps and create creative employment opportunities.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Hon Leeanne Enoch MP:

“Brisbane Festival continues to create innovative and imaginative work in partnership with some of Queensland’s leading arts companies and practitioners.

“This unique opportunity will see eight Queensland-based arts workers join the team behind the scenes to present the world premiere of Bananaland, created by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, along with a First Nations public artwork and an exciting site-specific production.

“Last year, Brisbane Festival supported the employment of  1751 artists and arts workers, with this new capacity boosting initiative giving emerging practitioners experience in developing the skills required to deliver large scale cultural events within a festival environment while working alongside creative teams comprised of national and international talent.

“The Palaszczuk Government provides annual operational funding for Brisbane Festival, and our additional investment to build capacity complements the new Industry Placements initiative which is delivered across Arts Queensland funding programs.

“To date, we have committed more than $2 million to support 43 industry placements through Grow funding programs, and through Brisbane Festival.

“Industry Placements will build the scale and capacity of Queensland’s creative workforce ahead of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when Queensland’s talented artists and arts companies will share our unique stories to a global audience.”

Quotes from Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina

“Queensland's premier arts festival, Brisbane Festival lights up the city each September with extraordinary art, installations and live performances from home and across the world.

“Boldly Brisbane – we reflect the diversity and unique voice of our river city. Our people make the impossible possible through passion, hard work and care.

“Brisbane Festival is committed to providing development opportunities across the full breadth of our program, from internships to sector specific training, and supporting and facilitating the growth of local creatives and companies.”

 Further information:

ENDS

Media contact – Pema Bastin 0422 655 582