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.

New Playing Australia funding for regional tours

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced more than $3 million in Playing Australia touring performance funding that will particularly benefit arts audiences in Australia’s regional areas.

‘Playing Australia will fund close to 1250 performances in coming months, which will help to break down the geographical barriers many regional Australians face to participating in our nation’s cultural life,’ Senator Kemp said.

‘This round of Playing Australia funding will support performances in almost 500 venues around Australia, providing employment for hundreds of performing arts workers.’

Highlights of tours to be supported by Playing Australia in this round include:

• Opera Australia’s Carmen, touring to 20 venues in Victoria, the Northern Territory (including Jabiru and Katherine) and Western Australia (including Borden and Esperance);
• Circus Girl, a production by the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, touring to 11 venues in NSW, Tasmania and Queensland;
• Across the Top—Mara, a Musica Viva Australia production touring a world/folk/jazz ensemble to 17 venues in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland; and
• The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Ensemble, touring to nine venues in WA, including Broome, Karratha, Newman, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie and Albany. .

The Government’s arts, culture and touring programs include Playing Australia, the Contemporary Music Touring Program, Visions of Australia and Festivals Australia.

You can find a full list of the Playing Australia funded projects at: www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/funding_programs__and__support/playing_australia

Program Recipients for Round 28 www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/funding_programs__and__support/playing_australia/program_recipients