Ten Queensland arts projects will share in over $7 million funding from the first batch of the Morrison Government's Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.
Grants up to $1.5 million will begin to flow immediately, supporting arts and entertainment sector organisations in Queensland that are seeking to restart, re-imagine or create new cultural and creative activities.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the grants were an important step in safeguarding the future of Queensland's creative and cultural sector.
"Cultural and creative organisations are part of Queensland's identity and soul, which is why we are so pleased to provide over $7 million in funding to 10 projects across the state, to support their long-term sustainability," Minister Fletcher said.
"The arts and entertainment sector makes up a large contingent of the Queensland's workforce, and our investment will support the creation of nearly 10,000 jobs across the state, with benefits to flow on to the tourism, hospitality, transport and freight sectors."
Brisbane audiences will be the first to experience the Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show, which will receive more than $1.3 million in support. The live circus production is anticipated to reach more than 120,000 people.
One of the largest grant recipients in Queensland is The Queensland Music Trail, which received nearly $1.5 million in funding. The world-first music tourism platform inspires audiences to discover regional and remote Queensland.
The $75 million RISE program was announced as part of the Government's $250 million Creative Economy Support Package to help restart activities such as festivals, concerts, tours and events once it is safe to do so. It is anticipated the Fund will create 44,000 jobs across Australia.
The successful Queensland projects are listed below. The full list of batch one recipients will be announced before Christmas at: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update
Organisation |
Project Name |
Funding |
Description |
Queensland Music Festival |
Queensland Music Trail |
$1,473,643 |
A world-first music tourism platform that incentivises discovery of regional and remote Queensland piloting two initial trails (Outback and South-East Queensland) to drive significant visitation across cities and towns. |
Woodfordia |
Bushtime and Woodford Folk Festival |
$1,463,300 |
A new, fully-programmed arts and cultural camping experience, including immersive and interactive activities designed to entertain, teach and inspire. |
Circa Contemporary Circus |
Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show |
$1,372,509 |
The creation of a live circus production based on the internationally acclaimed TV Show 'Shaun the Sheep' to tour around Australia. |
La Boite Theatre |
La Boite Artist Company |
$959,980 |
The engagement of 12 actors and 10 creatives for a 18-month period, spanning a range of specialties and focus areas including acting, theatre-making, directing, dramaturgy and more. |
BlakDance Australia |
BlakForm 2.0 |
$600,835 |
A digital showcase platform for emerging and mid-career dance artists. It will assist in the development of new work, provide presentation opportunities and touring, and act as a career accelerator. |
Sunshine Plantations Promotions Unit |
Big Pineapple Music Festival - 2021 Re-start |
$292,000 |
A re-start for the 'Big Pineapple Music Festival', in 2021 with a diversified program, including art installations and a youth mentoring program. |
Dancenorth Australia |
Dancenorth Regional Reactivation Program |
$350,000 |
A two-year offering of regionally focused events, anchored by a partnership with Townsville City Council and the North Australian Festival of the Arts, delivering site-specific performances and associated engagement activities. |
Chandler Shaw Events |
Winton's Way Out West Fest 2021 |
$150,000 |
Access to creative and cultural experiences for outback Queensland to build community spirit, well-being and cohesion. |
Greg Huglin Noosa Film Academy |
Remote, Rural and Regional Youth Community Digital Cross Art-form Workshops and Community Showcase Events |
$258,398 |
Community screen and arts cultural development to Queensland's remote, rural, regional communities; including digital entrepreneurship, online creativity, and visual story telling skills. |
Brunswick Street Venue at the Fortitude Music Hall |
Strings Attached: In Collaboration with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra |
$260,000 |
'Strings Attached' is a series of events headlined by a different contemporary artist with song arrangements by the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. |
