The Palaszczuk Government is supporting Queensland artists with more than $700,000 in funding for 18 arts and cultural projects across the state.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this funding was the latest from the Government’s Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP), which supports development and growth of the Queensland arts sector.
“The Queensland Arts Showcase Program supports diverse and vibrant arts and cultural experiences across the state and covers various artforms including performing arts, visual arts, music, craft and design projects,” Minister Enoch said.
“It also ensures regional Queenslanders can engage with the arts in their local community.
“Some of the recipients include First Coast Studios, which has received $54,000 to run a public program offering exhibitions and workshops with the aim of fostering artist culture and experiences in Toowoomba.
“The Government has also provided $19,500 to the Empire Theatre Projects Company, also in Toowoomba, to present Paradise the Parrot Returns, a unique story for young people created through community engagements and place-making activities.”
Other recipients include the Museum of Brisbane, which has received $60,000 for the Brisbane Art Design 2019: Open Source exhibition, which involves 17 artists taking over the museum with the creation of large-scale installations.
“There are also artists receiving funding who will take Queensland arts and culture to the world stage,” Minister Enoch said.
“Acclaimed Brisbane-based artist Richard Bell has received $59 000 to take his Embassy installation to Venice ahead of an exhibition in London, in 2021.”
Creative new works being created specifically for Queensland festivals, galleries and public places are also being supported through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program, including the public sculpture UTOPIA by Sam Cranstoun which connects the untold Brisbane history of EXPO 88 with Greek architect and town planner Doxiadis.
“Funding will also support the new 21st Century Cabaret featuring eight world-premiere cabaret works by local artists,” Ms Enoch said.
“This exciting new component of the annual Queensland Cabaret Festival is a great opportunity for the artists involved, with expectations it will lead to significant new touring opportunities.”
4MBS Classic FM is also receiving $60,000 to support the Festival of the Great Classics.
General Manager for 4MBS Gary Thorpe says the funding will help the annual 4MBS Festival of the Great Classics highlight the wonderfully talented classical musicians of Queensland.
“This grant helps make the festival accessible to all. There will be 32 classical concerts over six weeks, starting in May, with more than 700 Queensland musicians, making this the largest celebration of classical music in Australia,” he said.
“The festival then continues in October with fully staged free performances of a Shakespeare play in various parks in Brisbane featuring a line-up of exclusively Queensland of actors, directors and arts workers.”
Minister Enoch said the Queensland Arts Showcase Program also supports innovative collaborations between local arts companies.
“I’m pleased the Palaszczuk Government has been able to support new works created across Queensland that can have a real impact in connecting our communities and creating employment.”
Since QASP opened in September 2015, 326 Queensland artists and arts organisations have been successful in their applications for funding support totalling $10.8 million.
