The Morrison Government is providing $1.1 million from the Visions of Australia program to support 10 projects to tour cultural exhibitions to venues across regional Australia, providing the participating cultural institutions confidence to plan and prepare for the future.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Government is focused on supporting the creative and cultural sector to recover and return as and when health advice allows the easing of social distancing requirements in place to deal with COVID-19.
“I am pleased to announce $1.1 million to support cultural exhibitions that will tour regional venues across each state and territory, when travel restrictions are eased, which will help support local jobs, tourism and a sense of community as we begin to recover from COVID-19,” Minister Fletcher said.
The Morrison Government’s arts policies are delivering creative content and cultural experiences that reflect our rich and diverse history, culture and identity, for the benefit of all Australians. This funding will support projects showcasing high-quality textile design, print making, ceramics and photography among others, which explore a range of themes such as national identity, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the notion of family. These projects include:
- $149,145 for the Botanical Artists’ Society of Queensland to tour Artistic Endeavour: Contemporary artists’ response to Banks, Solander and Parkinson to 11 venues across NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
- $47,465 for the Tamworth Regional Gallery to tour Tensions 2020: Tamworth Textile Triennial, a survey of contemporary Australian textile practice, to 11 venues across NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Victoria.
- $60,278 for the National Museum of Australia to tour Walking through a Songline, an immersive digital installation explaining the complex Indigenous knowledge system of a songline, to 10 venues across NSW, NT, Queensland, SA and WA.
- $55,000 for the National Gallery of Australia to tour Skywhales: Every Heart Sings to nine venues across all states and territories.
“We’re supporting a rich selection of activities and tours in this funding round, including Patricia Piccinini’s thought-provoking Skywhale and newly created Skywhale Papa hot air balloons, which will take to the skies around Australia, and the Botanical Artists’ Society of Queensland’s exhibition exploring the artistic, scientific and cultural significance of our natural environment, marking 250 years since Captain Cook first voyaged to Australia,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Each of the cultural organisations receiving funding will work with the Office for the Arts on the timing and delivery of these exhibitions in line with COVID-19 health and safety measures.”
“Australia’s cultural sector has proven itself to be innovative and resilient over the very challenging last few months and I look forward to the time when everyone can once again come together to enjoy creative and cultural events in person.”
The Government’s Visions of Australia program funds the development and touring of arts and cultural exhibitions, with a focus on increasing arts access for Australians living in regional and remote areas.
Through record investment in the creative and cultural sector, the Morrison Government supports a $112 billion industry that employs more than 600,000 Australians and supports social cohesion, mutual understanding and stronger communities.
For the full list of recipients and more information visit:
