The Queensland Government announced (16 June 2020) a new $22.5 million two-year Arts and Cultural Recovery Package for Queensland’s arts and cultural sector as part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Strategy: Stage Two.
The Arts and Cultural Recovery Package is a down payment on Creative Together: A 10-year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland that aims to help revitalise creative industries, support infrastructure and jobs, and power Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, and will support the Roadmap’s first two-year action plan, Sustain 2020-2022.
The Arts and Cultural Recovery Package is a key part of Sustain 2020-2022, with a focus on stabilising Queensland’s arts companies, securing jobs for artists and arts workers, and delivering COVID-safe cultural experiences to Queensland audiences. The two-year investment is being rolled out in a suite of funding programs, Expressions of Interest, and procurement processes.
As at 3 December 2020, the following investment has been announced
Creative to Go: Funding of $592,165 to support 38 recipients in delivering live performances and engagement activities in regional venues.
Live Music Venue Support: Funding of $473,862 for 25 live music venues.
Play Local: Investment of $864,385 will fund 55 live music and performing arts venues to host performances by Queensland acts and artists.
Digital Adaptation Fund: Funding of $674,402 to support 52 projects to create and deliver digital programming
Youth and Arts Pathways: Funding of $376,924 for 8 projects to attract and retain young people within the sector.
Queensland Arts Showcase Program: Round 1 will fund 15 projects with $642,249 to support vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences.
Strategic Infrastructure Fund: Funding of $755,544 for 5 projects to support facility upgrades and infrastructure projects.
Indigenous Art Centre (IAC) Launch: Support 3 IACs with funding of $340,000 over two-years.
First Night Showcase – Judith Wright Arts Centre: Funding of $295 332 to support 11 recipients to develop and present new works at Judith Wright Arts Centre.
First Night Showcase – Bulmba-ja: Funding of $262,422 to support 8 recipients to develop and present new work at Bulmba-ja arts centre, Cairns.
Open Air: Funding of $1,049,832 to support the activation of 16 projects in outdoor and non-traditional settings to deliver of a program of works by artists and arts organisations in these spaces.
Spaces and Places: supporting 5 key projects for funding of $1,163,813 to enliven spaces, promote cultural vitality, attract new visitors and generate opportunities for regional Queensland.
First Nations Commissioning Fund: Support for 19 projects with funding of $836 781 to deliver uniquely Queensland Indigenous stories, arts and cultural experiences, products and celebrations.
Indigenous Art Centre Uplift: Funding of $610,000 to 14 Indigenous Art Centres to support sustained practice and revenue opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery period.
$350,000 to support the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC) Queensland’s Own presentation series from September until December 2020 with productions from Queensland Theatre, Circa, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland.
$130,000 investment in QPAC - for audio visual equipment in the Cremorne Theatre, which will enable small to medium arts companies to broadcast to audiences across the State, and in programming for Club Cremorne and Green Jam to further bolster artist employment and audience engagement.
Announced in June 2020, the Arts and Cultural Recovery Package includes:
Support and programs include:
Funding for live music and performing arts venues, organisations and artists to assist in offsetting the cost of developing new arts products or presenting artists’ work during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery. Programs include:
As the COVID-19 pandemic has required a number of organisations and artists to rethink how they engage with audiences and grow new markets, grant programs will be available to support the following activities:
New distribution channel support
The arts provides opportunity for local residents and visitors to participate in new experiences across the State. Investment in new arts products and programs, in partnership with local Councils, will support the wellbeing of Queenslanders and their communities and enhance the appeal of Queensland’s regional destinations. Programs include:
Arts Queensland has introduced quick response recovery funding through Creative to Go and is re-shaping current funding programs with a new format Queensland Arts Showcase Program.
With this package, the Queensland Government will have committed nearly $60 million since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to support the sector.