Leading arts tours spanning music, theatre, circus and dance will be supported with $5.5 million to tour 151 locations across rural and regional Australia, in the latest round of the Australia Council’s Playing Australia touring program.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the funding would support 16 creative projects that engage diverse regional and remote audiences.
“Artists and arts workers in regional and remote places use art and culture to build strong communities, generate jobs and inspire audiences, which is why this $5.5 million will drive economic recovery and arts development,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting increased access to high quality arts performances in regional and remote Australia, and I look forward to seeing these projects transform local communities.”
Australia Council CEO, Adrian Collette AM, said this investment through Playing Australia means more audiences have the opportunity to experience and enjoy some of Australia’s leading performing artists including music, theatre, circus, cross-artform and dance.
“We’re particularly pleased the latest round of investment will support a diverse range of performances aimed at engaging young people and those based in regional and remote communities around Australia” Mr Collette said.
Recipients include Critical Stages Touring and Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People, two of Australia’s leading theatre companies, with funding support for their regional touring programs from 2023.
There is also a large focus on First Nations representation, with Archie Roach set to perform across regional NSW and QLD, engaging with First Nations peoples in these communities.
Playing Australia is administered by the Australia Council and has three grant rounds each year to support net touring and other designated costs associated with performing arts tours.
