Value of arts to regional Australia

Australia Council for the Arts research shows that the arts enriches the lives of regional Australians and creates stronger, healthier and more cohesive communities.

Creativity is strong in our towns and cities and people living in regional Australia increasingly recognise the positive impacts of the arts on their daily lives and communities.

Touring programs and festivals play an important role in building this creativity in our regional and remote towns, according to Vivienne Robertson, Artistic Director, Denmark Festival of Voice.

‘In regional Australia more people look to the arts. I think perhaps because there’s less on offer, and people choose to live a life that’s embracing nature,’ Vivienne said.

‘When you’re isolated from capital cities, you can’t go to large festivals, or you can’t go to some of the touring shows that are coming through. What’s beautiful about festivals is that we bring it to people here.’

Singer and songwriter Emily Wurramara agrees.

‘It’s so important to go to these regional places and perform. It’s just great for us to come out and share our music and share our stories and meet the locals,’ Emily said.

Festivals Australia supports community participation in, and access to, the arts and aims to support partnerships and collaboration across the sector.

The Festivals Australia program gives communities in regional or remote Australia the chance to participate in and/or attend a community celebration.

Hear more from Vivienne and Emily in our video.

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