The latestround of Community Benefits Fund (CBF) grants sees one of the nations bestdisplays of Indigenous art – and a huge drawcard to Darwin, luring visitors andcreating jobs – given $240,000 over three years.
The DarwinAboriginal Art Fair will use the money to bring a vast collection of works andthe artists to the event that is proving a significant attraction for tourists.
There are twenty-six grants totallingaround $3 million in the May round of the Community Benefits Fund including 8 MajorCommunity Event Program Grants:
$230,000 over three years for the Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land
$50,000 for the Freedom Day Festival in Kalkarindji in 2019
$30,000 for Central Australian Drag Racing in Alice Springs in 2019
This Round of theMajor Community Organisation Grants will see 18 local community organisationsreceive up to $1.84 million in grant funding including:
$90,000 to Malak Family Centre Incorporated to improve day care facilities,
$69,018 to Alice Springs Aero Club Incorporated to install solar power,
$50,000 to the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation to preserve and share Indigenous childrens songs.
The Machado-Joseph Disease Foundation hasbeen given $100,000 under the Major Community Grant for infrastructureimprovements to increase support for people with the disease and has also beengifted a vehicle for better access to transport on Elcho Island.
To apply for a Community Benefit FundGrant in your chosen category, visit https://nt.gov.au/community/community-grants-and-volunteers
As noted by the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice, Natasha Fyles:
The Territory Labor Governments toppriority is creating jobs and activating the CBD. Its wonderful to see theCommunity Benefit fund grants contributing to Job-Creating andTourist-attracting festivals like this.
These grants are fundingtourist-attracting festivals across the Northern Territory that put valuabledollars into our economy. Its delivering upgrades to infrastructure thatbenefits the community, supports youth programs and helps provide educationopportunities for Indigenouscommunities.
Quotesfrom the Executive Director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Claire Summers:
The Darwin Aboriginal ArtFair (DAAF) is the only national event of its kind and has secured a reputationas the country’s most significant and internationally recognised Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander arts event.
DAAF provides theopportunity for unique cross-cultural exchange between visitors and AustralianFirst Nations artists – a truly genuine, immersive cultural experience.
Quotesfrom the Chief Executive Officer of the MJD Foundation, Nadia Lindop:
The MJD Foundation is aiming to expand our StayingStronger for longer program enabling increased access to therapeutic andrespite supports for people living with MJD.
This grant will help towards several projects includingthe introduction of an MJD Respite House in Darwin enabling families to befully supported and provide carers with a break from 24 hour care.
