- Twenty-five Queensland artists and organisations have shared in more than $592,000 to access new interstate and overseas audiences and markets.
- Twenty-two recipients of the Performing Arts Market Development Fund received support to showcase in major markets including America, Europe, the United Kingdom and across Australia.
- Visual artists from the Torres Strait, Cape York and Gold Coast are building industry relationships in the prestigious North American and European markets with support through the Visual Arts Market Development Fund.
The Miles Government has backed twenty-five Queensland artists, bands and companies, investing more than $592,000 to help them reach new audiences and markets and boost career and business growth.
New market development investment is supporting Queensland independent visual and performing artists and companies to showcase the state’s stories and cultures, realise revenue potential and enhance the state’s cultural reputation in the lead up to the Brisbane 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Performing Arts Market Development Fund (PAMD) and Visual Arts Market Development Fund (VAMD) are key initiatives of the Grow 2022-2026 action plan delivery on the Queensland Government’s 10-year Creative Together 2020-2030 strategy.
PAMD investment has helped elevate the international profiles and careers of Queensland musicians and bands, with Yaw Afoakwah, Zheani, Girl and Girl, Asha Jefferies, and Jamie-Lee Dimes all supported to give showcase performances at the prestigious 2024 SXSW Festival in Austin, USA in March 2024. Jai Spark received support to attend the event to promote Sunshine Coast groups Betty Taylor and Haters.
Jazz pianist and composer Sean Foran were supported to attend the influential Jazzahead Industry Market in Bremen, Germany in April, while country rock singer-songwriter Casey Barnes and his band were supported to perform at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, USA and further connect with country music professionals.
Performing arts companies showcased at the International Society of Performing Arts Congress in Perth in April-May this year, with First Nations arts organisation BlakDance supported to remount and present Karul Projects’ acclaimed production SILENCE, and Counterpilot Arts presented its production TRUTHMACHINE at the event.
Queensland’s reputation as a global centre of circus excellence was reinforced with Casus Creations presenting its new production APRICITY at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2024, Briefs Factory International presenting Dirty Laundry at the International Market of Contemporary Circus in Montreal, Canada, while Cluster Arts will promote its stable of Queensland contemporary circus and physical theatre companies through a year-long program of networking and engagement at leading performing arts markets in Germany, France, Romania, Cambodia, Scotland and Canada.
Torres Strait Islander artists including Solomon Booth from Moa Art Centre, Lavinia Ketchell and Jimmy John Thaiday from Erub Arts and Laurie Nona from Badu Art Centre were supported through VAMD funding to participate in an exhibition of Torres Strait Islander art as part of the Kluge-Ruhe’s Indigenous Takeover at University of Virginia, USA in February and March 2024.
VAMD support also enabled First Nations artist Naomi Hobson to deliver masterclasses and talks and connect with industry figures at her exhibitions in London and Morocco, while contemporary design partnership Objects For Thought were supported with $24,108 to attend and exhibit a lighting collection with Italian brand EX.T at one of the world’s foremost design markets, the 2024 Salone del Mobile in Milan.
As stated by the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
“The Miles Government is supporting Queensland artists and companies to share their work with wider audiences and grow new markets interstate and internationally, to build important industry relationships and raise the profile of the unique, high-quality work produced in this state.
“It is critical that the state’s artists and arts organisations grow revenue streams and secure sustainable career and business opportunities, as we prepare for the global spotlight of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The Visual Arts Market Development Fund and the Performing Arts Market Development Fund are supporting important cultural and economic outcomes for Queensland underpinned by the $50 million investment in Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan of our 10-year Creative Together roadmap”.
As stated by Solly Booth, Chairman of Moa Arts:
“Receiving this funding has allowed us to strive towards new horizons for our artist members, staff and our community that’s led to shining a spotlight on our region alongside Badu and Erub Art Centres.
“The connections we made have been well received by the audience and the relationships made will lead to more opportunities in the near future. This is an exciting time for Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) Arts so watch this space,” Mr Booth said.
As stated by Jamie-Lee Dimes, musical artist:
“Being a showcase artist at SXSW is a milestone in your career so getting there was a top priority,” Ms Dimes said.
“With the support of the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, I was able to step into my power as an artist, creator and musician and make the most out of the opportunity.
“This funding will accelerate the opportunity of being an official showcase artist and change my career,” Ms Dimes said.
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
- The Performing Arts Market Development Fund and the Visual Arts Market Development Fund are funding programs supported through the $50 million uplift in Queensland Government investment to deliver Grow 2022-2026.
- Grow 2022-2026 is the second action plan of Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland.
- Applications for the VAMD and PAMD funds remain open, with more information available at https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding.
