The Grow Cultural Tourism Fund will boost cultural tourism across the state, grow arts-led employment, activate communities and drive economic outcomes.
The Palaszczuk Government has today announced a new fund to support the growth of impactful arts and cultural events in communities across the state.
The Grow Cultural Tourism Fund will strengthen the state’s reputation as a global arts and cultural tourism destination and grow a state-wide calendar of arts and cultural tourism events and programming that activates local communities ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Recognising that cultural tourism delivers important economic outcomes for Queensland, the Grow Cultural Tourism Fund will turbo charge the growth of local creative communities, and share our state’s unique and ancient stories, identities, and cultures with locals and visitors to Queensland.
Queensland events and festivals can apply for matched funding to grow their cultural tourism capacity across three streams. With grants of up to $30,000 to support feasibility studies for new events, up to $50,000 available for established non-arts events that have potential to grow their cultural tourism experiences through local arts programming, or up to $80,000 to increase the scale and impact of established arts and cultural events.
In its first round, the Grow Cultural Tourism Fund will focus on supporting events outside South East Queensland.
The Grow Cultural Tourism Fund is delivered through Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan of Creative Together 2020-2030, the Palaszczuk Government’s 10-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland. It is also supporting the delivery of Towards Tourism 2032 and its vision for Queensland to be Australia’s destination of choice for domestic and global visitors.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to growing the state’s experience economy, and we know cultural tourists tend to stay longer and spend more.
“This new funding opportunity is focused on growing a statewide calendar of arts and cultural events and programming as an investment in our regional communities and to strengthen Queensland’s reputation for rich cultural tourism experiences.
“The Grow Cultural Tourism Fund builds on our existing record of investment in cultural tourism through the arts sector, which includes our support for arts and cultural festivals statewide and funding for blockbuster exhibitions.
“As we prepare for the social and economic opportunities of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is vital that we invest in arts and cultural tourism so the entire state can benefit from the legacy that the Games will deliver.
“This new fund will grow an economy boosting pipeline of rich and engaging arts and cultural experiences in our communities and will position our artists and stories on the global stage.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Tourism Stirling Hinchliffe:
“A strong calendar of arts and cultural events is critical to successful visitor economies and supporting more, good Queensland jobs.
“Quality and engaging arts and cultural events are a proven way of encouraging Queenslanders and interstate visitors to explore new destinations and tourism experiences that may not have previously been on travel bucket lists.
“With a great line-up of initiatives like the Grow Cultural Tourism Fund and a green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games, it’s Queensland’s time to shine on the national and international stage.”
Quotes attributable to Bill Hauritz AM, Woodford Folk Festival Founder:
“It’s great to see regional Queensland being supported to benefit from the 2032 Olympics, especially in the arts. Regional centres have a lot to offer and have produced so many great artists over the years – we’ve noticed that at Woodford. I think Arts Queensland is definitely on the right track here.”
Quotes attributable to Louise Bezzina, Brisbane Festival Artistic Director:
“Queensland’s unique stories expressed through our exceptional arts and cultures are central to our identity and help build our future as a global cultural tourism destination.
“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide an extraordinary opportunity to share our rich arts and cultural experiences and talent with a global community, and with the Games fast approaching it is exciting to see the Queensland Government investing in new initiatives that will support our cultural calendar and a state-wide pipeline of arts and cultural tourism events.”
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
- The Grow Cultural Tourism Fund is a key program of the Queensland Government’s Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan for Creative Together 2020-2030.
- Grow 2022-2026 is being supported with an additional Queensland Government investment of $50 million over four years.
- Tourism is a driving force in Queensland’s economy and Towards Tourism 2032 raises the profile of tourism and its importance to the economy.
- This round will prioritise activities outside of South East Queensland, with applications closing on 29 February 2024.
