The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Taking contemporary art and craft to the people

The Contemporary Touring Initiative, which will provide $1.2 million over three years to assist with the development and touring of major exhibitions of contemporary visual arts and craft across Australia, was announced today by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.

Currently the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program provides approximately $2 million per year for museums, galleries, libraries and community cultural organisations to development and tour exhibitions nationally.

'Through the Contemporary Touring Initiative more Australians will have an opportunity to view some of the best exhibitions of contemporary art on offer, and exhibitions will be supported by education and awareness programs,' Senator Kemp said.

The Contemporary Touring Initiative is one of the Australian Government's key elements of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy-a joint Australian and State/Territory initiative developed in response to the recommendations of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry Report.

'The Contemporary Touring Initiative will focus on a small number of high quality exhibitions managed by major institutions with a strong track record in running major exhibitions of contemporary art,' Senator Kemp said.

'The Contemporary Touring Initiative will showcase some of our most exciting exhibitions of contemporary Australian visual arts and craft, and will also support partnerships between visual art and craft organisations and the major institutions.'

Mr Rupert Myer, Chair of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry, welcomed the announcement.

'Exhibitions at major art museums are an effective way to introduce and educate the general public to the work of Australian contemporary visual artists and craft practitioners,' Mr Myer said.

'Providing financial support for developing and touring such exhibitions will impact greatly on the education, future sustainability and promotion of this sector.'

The initiative will be administered through the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program and it is expected that all States and Territories will host at least one exhibition over the life of the program.

MELBOURNE
17 December 2004

Media contact: Vanessa Jones, 03 9650 7274 or 0407 520 432