Acting Premier and Minister for the Arts Paul Lucas today invited applications to a new fund dedicated to growing Indigenous theatre in Queensland.
Mr Lucas said the $259,000 Indigenous Theatre Fund was a one-off initiative focused on providing theatre companies, playwrights, directors, actors and theatre professionals with the opportunity to produce new work for presentation in Queensland.
"The Indigenous Theatre Fund, a joint initiative of the State Government through Arts Queensland and the Theatre Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, supports partnership projects to strengthen Indigenous theatre practice in the state," he said.
"The fund was established following state-wide consultation with Indigenous communities and the release of a consultation report which told us the community wanted to forge relationships with state and nationally-based theatre professionals.
"This fund is the first step in responding to these requests and is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous arts.
"Earlier this year, the State Government launched the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Strategy 2009-2010, the first Indigenous arts strategy to articulate a common commitment and vision across the Queensland arts portfolio.
"The Indigenous Theatre Fund builds upon the strategy’s objectives to deliver positive outcomes for communities, artists and audiences."
Lyn Wallis, Director of Theatre at the Australia Council for the Arts said the initiative will harness the energy of Indigenous theatre-makers in Queensland.
"Queensland has produced some of this country’s most respected Indigenous theatre artists, and this call for proposals presents an exciting opportunity for the community to explore fresh ways of creating new work" said Lyn Wallis.
The Premier said the Indigenous Theatre Fund comes at a time when Queensland Indigenous artists were achieving recognition across all art forms.
"The inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in August was a huge success with more than 10,000 people coming along to see and buy the work of Queensland Indigenous artists.
"Kuranda-based band Zennith took out an award at the recent Q Song awards and the production of Miracle in Brisbane, with an outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cast, was a sell-out for Brisbane Festival."
To view the Indigenous Theatre Needs Analysis Consultation Outcome Report and funding guidelines, please visit the Arts Queensland website www.arts.qld.gov.au or telephone (07) 3224 4896.
Media contact: 32244500
14 October 2009
Other languages