The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Celebrating community with Festivals Australia

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced over $693,000 in Australian Government funding to support activities at Australian festivals.

Senator Kemp said the funding will be provided to artists, festivals and community events under the Australian Government’s Festivals Australia and Regional Residencies programs.

“Every Australian community has its own sense of identity and festivals provide a great way for communities to come together to celebrate and tell stories through art, literature, dance and music,” said Senator Kemp.

“Many of the festival projects involve workshops, where community members help create artworks or perform with professional artists and musicians. Through these events Festivals Australia is giving Australians in regional and remote areas access to new and exciting arts experiences they wouldn’t otherwise experience.

“The Regional Residencies program provides support to individual artists to help communities bring their stories to life. The program involves artists collaborating with regional and remote communities to develop a performance or artistic work for local and regional festivals and community celebrations.”

Thirty-six festivals will share more than $531,000 under the Festivals Australia program, with projects being supported at a variety of festivals, many in remote and regional areas of Australia.

Nine projects will receive over $163,000 under the Regional Residencies program, placing artists into regional communities in the coming months to share their circus, writing, design and other skills.

A list of all recent successful applicants for both programs and other funding information is available from www.dcita.gov.au/festivals

MELBOURNE

17 NOVEMBER 2006