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Investment secures Queensland Ballet’s leap to great heights

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a funding boost for Queensland Ballet to fast track the company’s growth and support its vision of becoming an Asia Pacific powerhouse.

“My Government is investing an additional $1.2m annually from 2016 for Queensland Ballet to cement its profile in the Asia Pacific region, expand its home base and company of dancers and offer more performances, more collaborations, more international touring and exchanges,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Importantly the company will add eight additional dancers by 2020, allowing Queensland Ballet to align with other world-class companies of its size.

“This will give the company more choice in selecting its repertoire and give Queenslanders more opportunities to enjoy high quality ballet.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the government had also extended the Ballet’s contract at the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End for another 50 years, giving them scope to redesign the facility.

The Premier said that decision was made after significant philanthropic pledges, including $5 million gifted to Queensland Ballet by The Ian Potter Foundation.

“This philanthropic investment will go towards the upgrade of the Thomas Dixon Centre, to create a custom-designed facility that will give the Ballet space to achieve its full potential.

“Queensland Ballet, led by artistic director Li Cunxin, is enjoying great success achieving record audience growth of 33 per cent in recent years,” the Premier said.

“My government is committed to supporting this success and ensuring the Company is well placed to leverage the growing cultural tourism market in Queensland.”

Life Governor of The Ian Potter Foundation, Lady Potter AC, said Li Cunxin was on track to achieve his ambition for the Company to rank among Australia’s leading arts companies and one of the world’s best ballet companies.

“This ambition cannot be realised without improved, expanded facilities and The Ian Potter Foundation is thrilled to award our largest ever grant in Queensland to this important project, committing $5 million over three years to help the Ballet create an environment in which it can thrive,” Lady Potter said.

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director, Li Cunxin said he was humbled by the shared belief in the future of Queensland Ballet.

“We have a bold vision for Queensland Ballet to truly connect meaningfully with our audiences and communities in Queensland, Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond,” Mr Li said.

“We thank the people of Queensland supporting us through the Queensland Government. Thank you also to The Ian Potter Foundation for sharing our vision and enabling it to become a reality.”

The Premier said Queensland Ballet would end the year on a high with a sold-out performance of The Nutcracker, opening on 11 December, following on from record attendances of more than 16,500 people for The Sleeping Beauty in October.

“Queensland Ballet has a reputation for bringing the world’s great ballets to our door, developing Queensland talent, and performing widely throughout the state.

“This is a company that demonstrates the benefit of the arts to our community, enriching our cultural life and making an economic impact through the growth of cultural tourism,” she said