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The ACT Government will provide ongoing funding to the ANU School of Music and ANU School of Art and Design for community outreach activities.

More than $2 million will be provided to both schools over the next three years to support a broad range of music and visual arts programs and enable members of the community to access music and visual arts programs, develop their artistic skills and enable artists to develop and increase their capacity and capability.

The new School of Music program has been rebranded as the ANU Community Music Centre and reflects a shift towards fostering community and inclusive music-making. It will provide more opportunities for adults, women, gender diverse individuals and other minority groups, and increase the visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and musicians.

There is increased focus on accessibility for ACT communities that don’t have access to opportunities to create and make music, recognising that music is not age or time limited, nor should it be restricted or prohibited by background or experience.

The School of Art and Design will continue to offer programs that address barriers across key diversity areas through two public outreach programs – Sharing Stories Arts Exchange and the new Living City: People, Plants and Places program.

Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Tara Cheyne said the ongoing funding would help increase participation in the arts.

“These programs provide access to high quality, inclusive arts programs that develop the artistic skills of participants including from diverse backgrounds and those who may experience barriers to getting involved in arts programs for a range of reasons.

“They strongly align with our Arts, Culture and Creative Policy, helping to increase the visibility of the arts in Canberra, and increasing opportunities for our artists, arts workers and arts organisations.

“The ANU Community Music Centre offers an incredible range of programs, including its Community Rock School that gives anyone the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a contemporary band setting.

“The Sharing Stories Art Exchange offers the creative community first-hand experience on Country, learning about cultural practices and developing relationships. It is reconciliation in action.

“Living City: People, Plants and Places is a new program that will encourage accessible and inclusive art-based engagement with urban spaces while addressing climate change, urban biodiversity, wellbeing and conservation.

“I’m proud to see our long-standing relationship with the ANU School of Music and ANU School of Art and Design continuing through this agreement,” said Minister Cheyne.