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.
Playing Australia supports regional performing arts tours
Regional areas will enjoy the majority of some 856 performances from arts companies supported by the latest round of grants from the Playing Australia program, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced today.
‘Through the Playing Australia program, the Australian Government helps improve access to some of the nation’s best dance, theatre, opera and music events,’ Senator Kemp said.
‘The program gives priority to regional tours. Under funding round 26, almost $3.2 million will provide over 2000 weeks of employment for 275 performing arts workers.’
Events supported in this round include a:
- four state tour of the The Blonde, The Brunette and The Vengeful Redhead —an acclaimed one person show created for Jackie Weaver to showcase her comic and acting talents;
- major tour of Clan, a Bangarra Dance Company production that fuses traditional and contempory styles;
- regional tour of the Queensland Theatre Company’s production of Away by Michael Gow, celebrating the 20 th anniversary of its first performance; and
- regional tour of Opera Australia’s production of Carmen.
‘The Playing Australia program helps break down the geographical barriers to participation in the cultural life of this country,’ Senator Kemp said.
‘This latest release brings the total funding under the program to over $5 million for this year alone and further confirms the Australian Government’s commitment to the arts in Australia.’
The Government’s cultural and touring programs include Playing Australia, the Contemporary Music Touring Program, Visions of Australia and Festivals Australia.
At www.dcita.gov.au/arts/arts/playing_australia a full list of projects is available online.
CANBERRA
14 September 2005
Media contact: Adrian Chippindale, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743