Investment boosts careers of 47 Queensland artists and arts workers

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The latest round of the Individuals Fund will support 47 Queensland artists and arts workers with funding of $322,642 to take up new projects and opportunities.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said these funds will help deliver enhanced career pathways and employment opportunities for the recipients.

“The Palaszczuk Government supports artists from across the state with grants of up to $7000 through this fund to undertake research, showcase their work, and boost their skills,” Minister Enoch said.

“North Burnett based performing artist Cilla Pershouse will receive funding to engage regional school children through the theatre mentoring program Big Theatre Workshops in Tiny Schools, Gympie artist Tammy Brennan will develop her digital podcasting professional practice, and Cairns-based artist India Collins will be supported to create a Jellyfish Journey, a large installation that speaks to climate change and human consumption.

Minister Enoch said funding would also assist Queensland artists to create, produce and record new music.

“After the challenges faced by the live music industry during COVID, it’s great to see Queensland’s musicians and songwriters embarking on an exciting range of new projects,” the Minister said.

“In the Cairns region, Leanne Tennant is co-writing new songs for release later this year, Jessie Lloyd is packaging her new major work, Ailan Songs Project, which celebrates historical songs from the Torres Strait, Bianca Gannon is composing a classical music work, and First Nations artist William Duffin will record his new contemporary music project.

“Brisbane-based musicians Elizabeth Mitchell, Andrew Martin, Daniel Parsons, and Tenzin Choegyal have each received funding for a variety of contemporary music projects including Kitchener Wesche who is producing the first recorded album of Samoan Talking High Chief Taitu’uga KITCH Wesche.

“In North Queensland, Naomi O’Sullivan will produce an EP featuring local artists, and Isabelle Reynaud will produce her debut album.

“Funding will go to two Logan-based musicians: Aldwyn Rostant, who will create original songs based around steel drum music, and country artist Briana Dinsdale, who will release her new singles.

“Two classical music projects feature Gold Coast artists with Jenna Robertson releasing her debut album and Corrina Bonshek undertaking research for a new opera,” Minister Enoch said.

Aspiring curator Moale James said that support through the Individuals Fund will enable her to work as a curator-in-residence and help develop QAGOMA’s Contemporary Pacific Women exhibition held in 2023.

“As a Papuan and White-Australian woman, the opportunity to work in-residency at QAGOMA is a step towards developing the representation of diverse communities that our community needs in these cultural institutions,” Ms James said.

“I am looking forward to working on this upcoming exhibition which is exploring stories of contemporary Pacific women.

“This funding will support my work in elevating voices of Pacific women, building relationships and creating more accessible spaces for wider audiences from diverse backgrounds,” he said.

The Individuals Fund delivers on the key priorities of the Queensland Government’s Creative Together roadmap for arts, culture and creativity by elevating First Nations art, activating local places, driving social change, strengthening Queensland communities, and sharing our stories.

Minister Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is further boosting its commitment to Queensland’s arts and cultural sector with an additional $115.6 over four years in the 2022-23 budget, including $50 million to support Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan underpinning Creative Together.

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