Supporting arts and cultural events in regional and remote Australia

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting the resurgence of arts and cultural events throughout regional and remote Australia, with 14 projects to share in over $630,000 under Round 14 of the Festivals Australia program.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the projects will bolster participation and audience engagement at festivals and significant community celebrations, which will create employment opportunities and stimulate local economies.

“The Festivals Australia program supports a vibrant and sustainable arts and cultural sector by providing funding to high-quality projects that showcase the best arts experiences regional and remote Australia has to offer,” Minister Burke said.

“These latest projects will play a key role in uplifting local economies after two years of cancelled events.

“We know that domestic arts tourists travel further, stay longer, and spend more than other domestic tourists, injecting around $16 billion into our economy in 2018, prior to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I look forward to seeing these projects build the profile of regional and remote artists, celebrate our diverse stories and cultures, and provide benefits to other industries like hospitality, tourism, retail, transport and accommodation.”

The 14 projects in this round span music, literature, theatre, digital and visual arts.

The Australian Government provides around $1.3 million each financial year through the Festivals Australia program.

For more information, visit: http://www.arts.gov.au/festivals-australia

This announcement comes as Labor continues with consultations for a new National Cultural Policy, which will consider arts in regional and remote communities. All Australians are invited to make submissions at: www.arts.gov.au/culturalpolicy.

MEDIA CONTACT: ADAM GARTRELL - 0427 008 525