The City of Perth is heavily investing in a diverse range of local arts and cultural initiatives to support the city's economy and foster community connection amidst the ongoing effects of COVID-19.
As part of the City's COVID-19 Grants and Sponsorship Program, Commissioners have approved a program of arts and cultural sponsorships.
Chair Commissioner Andrew Hammond said the sponsorships would help to create a feeling of vitality throughout city streets, encouraging visitors and residents to support local businesses and artists.
"Events and festivals are one way the City can attract people back into Perth and support the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors," he said.
"Our sponsorship program will help to build capacity within the heavily impacted events and cultural sectors, with the aim of emerging from this crisis more resilient than ever before."
Iconic City-supported events this year include Perth Festival – Australia's longest-running cultural festival – for its 2021 festival program.
Perth Festival Executive Director Nathan Bennett said the organisation was thrilled to play its part as a major cultural event in driving visitation into the city and supporting the hospitality and retail businesses.
"We are grateful to the City and ratepayers of Perth for this opportunity to invest in our local creative industry and artists as we seek to recover from the impact of COVID-19," Mr Bennett said.
"The City of Perth is a long-term civic partner of the Festival and we share a common goal to enhance Perth's vitality and unite the community through shared cultural experiences.
"It is exciting for us to be able to present a Festival that will champion our world-class Western Australian artists and showcase local stories for diverse audiences."
ARTRAGE's FRINGE WORLD 2021 is another signature event supported by the City of Perth this year, specifically for the City of Perth Power Hour, Woodside Pleasure Garden and Perth Girl's School Hub.
"Over the past nine years, FRINGE WORLD has become an essential part of our community's summer calendar, and now more than ever, we need the festival as a light at the end of the tunnel following the depression of COVID-19," ARTRAGE Chief Executive Officer Sharon Burgess said.
"We're thrilled the City of Perth recognises the value FRINGE WORLD brings to the people of Perth and can't wait to once again bring the streets alive with 31 vibrant days of arts and cultural events. We look forward to seeing the people of Perth come out in their droves to support the artists and venues so badly impacted over the past few months."
Planning is underway for both Perth Festival and FRINGE WORLD to adhere to the State Government's COVID-safe event guidelines at the time of each event.
A further 15 arts and sponsorship grants have been awarded to local arts and cultural organisations including Community Arts Network Western Australia (CAN) for Burdiya Karni Waangkinny.
As part of Burdiya Karni Waangkinny, the City is funding the creation of a series of podcasts which will capture and preserve the legacy of the ten Elders driving the City of Perth's reconciliation process.
The conversation-style podcasts will explore the Elders' personal stories on Whadjuk Nyoongar land and how these experiences have influenced their contribution to the City of Perth's Reconciliation Action Plan.
