A new approach to arts touring in Queensland will make it easier to take incredible arts experiences on the road and support access to diverse arts and cultural experiences for audiences and communities across the state.

“The arts are key to delivering our plan for economic recovery, each year injecting $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders,” Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said.

“Arts touring in Queensland is one of the primary ways for regional communities to have access to an increased number of exciting and high-quality arts experiences. Following extensive consultation with Arts organisations, the new Touring Queensland Fund (TQF) and Touring Queensland Fund Quick (TQFQuick), will open today, replacing the Playing Queensland Fund (PQF),” Minister Leeanne said.

“The two touring funds will invest in touring performing and visual arts projects throughout the state, providing a range of performances, exhibitions, workshops and arts in education programming including artist-in-residence programs in regional areas; and will also support regionally based artists to tour to Brisbane,” Minister Leeanne said.

“These new funds are designed to be more responsive, flexible and adaptable, giving communities across the state the opportunity to engage with more first-class arts experiences. The Touring Queensland Fund will support multi-tour applications, digital engagement that supplements live touring and also expands eligibility to support artists and arts workers,” Minister Leeanne said.

Touring Queensland Fund Quick is designed to build on the success of the short-term funding programs Creative to Go and Play Local that were created as part of the $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package in response to the impact of COVID-19.

“This funding will provide a quick turnaround for applicants and will be responsive to the many great touring opportunities as they become available. As an example, Creative to Go supported 38 projects and 468 artists with funding of $592,165 to offset the costs of delivering live performances and engagement activities in regional venues. In addition, Play Local provided funding of $864,385 to 55 live music and performing arts venues throughout the state to host performances by Queensland acts and artists,” Minister Leeanne said.

Ozpix Entertainment received Creative to Go funding of $20,000 to present their production of Put on your Dancing Shoes featuring Humphrey B Bear with performances in Winton, Stonehenge, Jundah, Windorah, Eulo, Cunnamulla, Tambo, Blackall and Longreach.

Ozpix Entertainment CEO Director Craig A Kocinski said that without funding from the Queensland Government, the company would not have been able to make the show affordable for some of the smallest communities in Queensland.

“The feedback we’ve received is that the show is absolutely amazing. In Winton, twenty-five per cent of the entire shire turned up to see Humphrey live!,” Director Craig said.

The new funds will contribute to a robust touring framework and align with the regional priorities highlighted in Creative Together 2020 – 2030 to deliver arts experiences, drive new creative work and employ Queensland artists and arts workers.

Source: Queensland Government

Aiza Mabayag

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Aiza is a journalist and content writer. She is the content producer of Public Spectrum.

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