Festivals Australia flaunts a pageant of talent

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced funding of $476,077 for 32 grants under the latest round of the Festivals Australia program.

"Through the Australian Government, Festivals Australia encourages a greater awareness and participation in cultural activities, which allows local areas to support and celebrate their community identity," Senator Kemp said.

This grant round will support a range of cultural activities at a variety of festivals across Australia, including:

• Symphony for Big Ships and Sonatas for Small Boats will create a symphony and sonatas to be performed in the harbours of Port Arthur, St Helen's, Inveresk, Devonport and Hobartat the Ten Days on the Island Festival;
• The Qfest and Snuff Puppets Outback Carnival will create 30 life-sized puppets and perform at the opening gala of the Cue Outback Festival, in Western Australia; and
• Energy Zone's youth-focussed workshops will be incorporated in a weekend of waterskiing, skateboarding and BMX championships at the Riverland x-Games Festival, in South Australia.

A list of the successful grantees for the program is attached and available online from www.dcita.gov.au/festivals. The deadline for applications in the next round of funding is 15 July 2004.

Festivals Australia is an Australian Government funding program which provides funding for arts-based projects which enhance the cultural program of regional and community festivals.

CANBERRA
27 May 2004

Media contact: Richard Wise, 02 6277 7350 or 0438 204 554