Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, have announced funding for the Rockhampton Art Gallery and Rockhampton Regional Council through the Regional Arts Fund Community Grants program, delivered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance Inc.
“I am pleased to announce Rockhampton Regional Council has received $29,924 for Regional Place-Making Art Commissions through the latest round of the Government’s Regional Arts Fund Community Grants program, enabling them to deliver an exciting new project/development activity in Central Queensland.” Ms Landry said.
“Rockhampton Museum of Art: Regional Place-making Art Commissions will, in preparation for the Rockhampton Museum of Art re-opening, will engage three artists from the Central Queensland region to produce art commissions. These commissions will encapsulate the artists’ practice through creative place-making that responds to the architecture of the newly developed Rockhampton Museum of Art building. This process will ensure artists who work in the region are at the forefront of Rockhampton Museum of Art and represented during opening celebrations. The artists will be identified through an expression of interest process and will work collaboratively with Rockhampton Art Gallery to foster both conceptual and practical development.
The Australian Government is providing more than $668,000 through the latest Regional Arts Fund Community Grants round to support regional artists and arts organisations.
“The recipients of the Community Grants program reflect Australia’s rich and diverse arts sector, with projects to be delivered by a wide range of community groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, youth, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, older Australians and people with disability,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The funding will help these organisations and individuals develop new works and performances and create opportunities to engage local communities.”
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said these artwork commissions will place local voices at the forefront of the Rockhampton Museum of Art redevelopment.
“This project will ensure the new space is welcoming and representative of our community,” said Mayor Strelow.
“I want to thank the Federal Government for their commitment and support. Over the past 50 years the Rockhampton Art Gallery has provided a diverse and changing program of exhibitions and events as well as opportunities for learning, artist skill development, and creative outcomes.
“These artwork commissions form an important step in this journey. The commissions will be situated alongside nationally and internationally significant artists, to showcase the best of Central Queensland talent and provide local context to nationally relevant themes.”
Each year the Government provides around $3.5 million through the Regional Arts Fund, which is an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities. The program is managed by Regional Arts Australia and delivered by regional arts organisations in each state and territory.
For the full list of recipients and more information visit: www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/regional-arts-fund
