Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, George Brandis, today announced continued funding support for the National Institute of Circus Arts, the youngest of Australia’s elite performing arts training organisations supported by the Australian Government.

“The National Institute of Circus Arts is achieving tremendous results in its work preparing talented young Australians for careers both here at home and around the globe in circus and physical theatre,” Senator Brandis said.

“Although only a young organisation, the National Institute of Circus Arts has built a strong national and international reputation for excellence and has quickly found its place amongst Australia’s high-quality national arts training institutions.

“The ongoing Australian Government funding now being provided to the National Institute of Circus Arts will ensure that the institute can maintain its high standards in circus arts training.

“It will also ensure the institute is able to make the most of the recently built, Government funded and state-of-the-art National Circus Centre in Melbourne.”

The Australian Government has supported the National Institute of Circus Arts since 2001.

In 2004–05 the Australian Government provided the National Institute of Circus Arts with additional funding of $2.4 million over four years to enable it to continue to offer its high quality training programme in circus arts. Combined with base funding of $1.3 million, this increase provides the Institute with $2.0 million towards the cost of its full-time training programme in 2007-08.

The Australian Government provided $8.3 million towards the design, construction and fit of the new $10 million National Circus Centre, which was opened in April this year.

More information about the National Institute of Circus Arts and its programmes can be found at www.nica.com.au.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

12 October 2007
129/07