The Queensland Government has supported 13 arts tours through an investment of almost A$1.6m (£844,000/€973,000/$1m) via the Touring Queensland Fund, with the aim of engaging regional communities.
The funding will go towards 13 touring arts and cultural experiences, including five full-time industry placements. The funding will support a range of arts experiences, from music tours to theatre, the circus and visual arts across the Australian state.
Five arts organisations will share A$265,000 to support industry placements, aiding employment growth and capacity-building opportunities for emerging artists and workers in the sector.
For the first time, strategic multi-year tour funding will enable arts companies to develop new touring circuits, grow new audiences, build relationships with venues and engage with regional communities across Queensland.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said: “Through the Touring Queensland Fund, the Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $1.6m to support 13 tours of performances, exhibitions, workshops, to deliver engaging arts experiences in Queensland communities across the state from Thargomindah to Toowoomba, and from Cairns to Cunnamulla.
“This investment in arts touring is fostering a love of reading and connecting kids to interactive theatre, supporting storytelling workshops with remote First Nations youth, enabling communities to enjoy performances by Queensland’s talented musicians, and supporting large-scale productions to tour to regional venues.
“Striking visual arts experiences and touring exhibitions will also showcase our artists, a cabaret tour will explore experiences of mental illness and neurodiversity, and stories of important First Nations leaders from across Australia will be shared through song.”
Round two of the Touring Queensland Fund is now open for single and multi-year applications, with the fund closing on June 26.