Restarting Arts Festivals in Maranoa

January 5, 2022

Two projects are set to reignite the arts and cultural sector in Maranoa, as they share in more than $2.7 million under Round 13 of the Festivals Australia program.

Federal Member Maranoa David Littleproud announced that the Blackbutt Avocado Festival and the Injune Centenary will receive funding to support local artists and help their communities to re-emerge from the pandemic, while also providing a critical boost to the economy.

“The Blackbutt Avocado Festival has received $27,498 for their Resilience through Laughter: Youth & Community Workshop & Performance Program, which will enable youth and adult group participants to co-design two performances for the festival, incorporating performance, clown and comedy skills development,” he said.

“The Injune Centenary will receive $6,955 to engage Australian Outback comedy duo, the Crack Up Sisters to run workshops with children and youth, as well as roll out several circus performances to grow this art form.”

The Festivals Australia program supports arts projects that invite community participation and audience engagement at festivals in regional and remote Australia.

Mr Littleproud said that through this targeted funding, including the additional $2.4 million provided through the Regional Arts Tourism Experiences package, the Government is providing access to a diverse range of high quality, innovative arts projects that will help boost tourism across Australia’s regions.

“We know that regional and remote artists, organisations and communities have taken a hit from the pandemic, which is why this assistance is invaluable for the sector and is supporting a vibrant and sustainable future for festivals across Australia.”

The Morrison Government is investing more than $1 billion into the arts and creative sector in 2021-22.