Qld Arts Showcase Program reaches $8.7m investment in three years

A Palaszczuk government arts program has reached another milestone, with $8.7 million invested in 270 Queensland cultural projects over three years.

Minister for the arts Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP)’s latest round of funding, of $153,335, helped more events grow cultural tourism, support local jobs, and deliver memorable experiences for audiences and artists.

“This most recent QASP funding round has helped the Yarrabah Band Festival secure one of Australia’s most iconic songwriters Paul Kelly, who will perform in tropical north Queensland, alongside local bands and community performers,” the minister said.

“The Yarrabah Band Festival, presented by Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council and Queensland Music Festival, is a celebration of music and culture, and a key event for the community, attracting more than 4,000 visitors.”

Other recipients were:

Bleach Festival ($60,000) to commission the epic Shifting Sands production featuring 126 performers fused with stand up paddle boards, kayaks and guests from Queensland Ballet and The Farm and directed by Donna Jackson

A Restless Dream ($24,500) – a collaboration between Brisbane band Halfway and Kamileroi elder Bob Weatherall to create a major new recording work.

The project reflects Weatherall s efforts to repatriate Aboriginal remains and helps to frame the rich landscape of stories this work has uncovered.

$8130 was for Brisbane-based contemporary music ensemble Kupka’s Piano to present an original music and dance production titled The Human Detained in collaboration with MakeShift Dance Collective.

The new work will involve four Australian composers and be presented at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.

The one-day Bayside Blues Festival got $23,000.

The Central Highlands Festival of Bands Emerald received $15,750,

For the full list of 2018 QASP funding recipients,  head to the official website.