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.

Increased funding for young and emerging artists

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced funding of $2.5 million over two years for the Y oung and Emerging Artists programme, extending the programme to 2007–08.

The Young and Emerging Artists initiative provides funding to the Australia Council for the Arts to allow a special focus on providing new Australian artists with greater opportunities for career development and exposure of their work.

“The programme is consistent with the Government’s policy objectives announced during the 2004 election campaign of supporting artists and generating an environment in which the arts and culture can thrive,” Senator Kemp said.

First introduced by the Australian Government in 1996, the Young and Emerging Artists initiative was extended in 2002 with funding of $5 million over four years from 2002–03 to 2005–06.

“The programme has provided a valuable supplement to the grants funding activities of the Australia Council’s arts boards, with the introduction of programmes appropriate for developing young arts practitioners, including mentoring and professional development opportunities,” Senator Kemp said.

In 2003–04 over 180 Young and Emerging Artists grants totalling $1.26 million were awarded across different art forms, giving artists up to 30 years of age greater career opportunities and exposure for their work.

10 May 2005

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