A new fund supporting First Nations performing arts in Queensland will deliver annual funding and provide capacity building support to five emerging First Nations arts companies over four years.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the First Nations Pathways Fund will inject funding totalling $2.6 million over four years (2022-2025) into five First Nations performing arts companies to help strengthen their artistic, strategic and economic potential, building on the Palaszczuk Government's long-term support for visual arts through the Backing Indigenous Arts Initiative.
"This important core funding will enable these diverse organisations to focus on growing sustainable business models," Minister Enoch said.
"The First Nations Pathways Fund will support delivery of Creative Together 2020-2030, the Palaszczuk Government's 10-Year Roadmap for arts culture and creativity, including its priorities to Elevate First Nations Arts, Share our stories and celebrate our storytellers".
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the strong representation of Cairns based companies reflected the abundance of talent in the region.
"The Pryce Centre, based at Bulmba-ja arts centre, is a place of creative and cultural innovation, with a focus on cultural maintenance and creative arts development," Mr Healy said.
"The company has a strong track record of creating pathways for talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
"Miriki Performing Arts, plays an important role in the arts sector in Far North Queensland and beyond, serving as an early training ground and pathway into national dance schools, encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people based in Cairns to create, choreograph and perform their Indigenous heritage through theatre based performances."
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the Far North was renowned for producing world class artists whose works proudly embody vibrancy and diversity.
"Grace Lillian Lee Productions has a national profile showcasing First Nations fashion and design through dance and live music," Ms Lui said.
"Most recently, the company presented Walking in Two Worlds at Australian Fashion Week and Brisbane Festival 2021, a fashion performance bringing together a selection of contemporary garments and textiles by First Nations Designers."
Minister Enoch said that each of the five recipients created exciting new work and had great potential to further expand their strategic and artistic development and audience reach.
"First Nations Pathways will help these companies realise their potential in truth-telling, growing employment opportunities for First Nations Peoples, and delivering important cultural and community benefits," Minister Enoch said.
"This outcome builds on Backing Indigenous Arts – Performing Arts programs and recent investment in the development of new First Nations works through the Queensland Government's $22.5 million two-year Arts and Cultural Recovery Package.
"This new program was shaped by the First Nations Arts and Cultures Panel and demonstrates the power of First Nations-led outcomes that work to elevate First Nations arts, grow economic participation and capacity and contribute to realising a thriving arts and cultural sector in Queensland."
Grace Lillian Lee said, "What an honour to have the support of Arts Queensland First Nations Pathways Fund."
"This means the world to me as I have been working in this space for a decade, this gift will ensure and strengthening the growth of the business which in turn will enable the business to further support and grow a stronger industry," Ms Lee said.
Funding through the First Nations Pathways 2022-2025 will support activities from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.
