The Palaszczuk Government today announced a major boost in funding to Queensland's small to medium arts sector, providing $33.5 million over four years in core funding to a record breaking 46 Queensland arts and cultural organisations.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the increased funding to even more arts companies is a further example of the Government's commitment to Queensland's plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, backing the arts sector, and delivering on the Vision of Creative Together 2020-2030, the Government's 10-year roadmap to renew and transform Queensland through arts, culture and creativity.
"With so many other states in lockdown, it is great that here in Queensland you can still see live performances on stage," Minister Enoch said.
"The small to medium arts and cultural sector makes a real impact in Queensland and this funding will create jobs and provide ongoing employment opportunities.
"Through this investment, the largest number of new entrants ever will enter the fund, with 14 new diverse arts organisations securing funding, in addition to a further 32 organisations who have previously received support through the Organisations Fund.
"It is so exciting to welcome brand new entrants including First Nations led Digi Youth Arts, Inala Wangarra, and Aboriginal Art Co; performing arts organisations including The Little Red Company, indelibilityarts, shake & stir, Dead Puppet Society, Belloo Creative, Casus Circus, and Cluster Arts; dance companies The Farm, Phluxus 2 and Everybody NOW! and the return of Vulcana Circus.
"Queensland's visual arts are also well represented, with Outer Space now also accessing Organisations Fund 2022-2025 investment, and the return of NorthSite Contemporary Arts to the fund.
This long-term Palaszczuk Government investment in the state's vital small to medium arts sector will support future planning, artist employment, recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and the delivery of important arts-led social and economic outcomes across the state.
Minister Enoch said the 46 successful companies focus on a range of arts priorities including addressing the needs of young people, people with disability, supporting communities and elevating First Nations arts.
"This incredible outcome recognises the outstanding work of innovative emerging organisations, along with those established organisations that continue to successfully deliver substantial programs of state-wide activity and meet Government priorities to create employment opportunities and present new work," Ms Enoch said.
"The large number of new entrants to the Organisations Fund 2022-2025 has been the result of a new approach to include a dedicated pathway for small or emerging organisations to transition into the fund, ensuring a cycle of renewal to support important social and economic outcomes and offer certainty for Queensland's arts and cultural sector.
"These organisations deliver programs, festivals, exhibitions, events and workshops that inspire and engage communities while developing innovative work to tell Queensland stories.
"It grows audiences and markets, nationally and internationally and offers professional advancement opportunities to artists.
"Moving forward, it will be these companies that will deliver world class arts experiences on the global stage as we look to the exciting arts and cultural opportunities the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games present for Queensland," Ms Enoch said.
Catarina Hebbard, Co-Artistic Director of indelabilityarts said as a small not-for-profit company, ongoing organisational funding will play an important role in cementing indelabilityarts' future within our arts landscape.
"This funding will allow us to focus on our grassroots work which is to provide creative opportunities for Queensland artists with disabilities," Ms Hebbard said.
"Ongoing funding takes some pressure off the day to day running of the company and will make way for us to deliver more quality programs and better outcomes for diverse artists in Queensland."
Naomi Price, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of The Little Red Company said, "we are delighted to receive multi-year funding through the Organisations Fund 2022-2025."
"The tinnitus of uncertainty has reverberated through our industry over the past 18 months.
"Multi-year funding provides us with stability and reassurance as we navigate the next four years, enabling us to continue our commitment to generating employment opportunities for arts workers, creating dynamic new work for audiences, and elevating Queensland artists.
"Thank you, Arts Queensland, for this support," Ms Price said.
Minister Enoch confirmed the Palaszczuk Government remains committed to providing four-year funding support for Woodfordia to deliver the Woodford Folk Festival.
"Arts Queensland continues to work with Woodfordia to support the organisation as it responds to the impact of COVID-19 on delivery of the popular festival for the second year in a row," Ms Enoch said.
"Since the onset of the pandemic the Palaszczuk Government has committed to more than $79 million in measures to stabilise the sector, including the dedicated $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package and the recent commitment of a further $7 million to support the live music sector.
"The arts are key to delivering our plan for economic recovery, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state's economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders."
The Organisations Fund 2022-2025 is a competitive funding program, with all submissions assessed by an independent panel of industry experts with a probity advisor involved throughout the process to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability.
In contracting Organisations Fund recipients, Arts Queensland is committed to ensuring companies deliver on Queensland Government priorities, operating with best practice governance and delivering value for money outcomes for Queenslanders.
