Gold Coast Selected to Develop New Theatre Productions
The Gold Coast is set to become a hotspot for theatre in Queensland with an injection of $300,000 over three years to create and stage locally-produced work, Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh announced today. "Under the Regional Stages initiative, jointly funded by the Queensland Government and the Australia Council for the Arts, the Gold Coast Arts Centre will engage with local arts groups to develop new work," Ms Bligh said.
"The Gold Coast Arts Centre proposes exciting collaborations with local dance, theatre and physical theatre groups, artist in residence programs and commissioning new works. "The Gold Coast Arts Centre joins Toowoomba's Empire Theatre and the Moncrieff Theatre in Bundaberg as the three locations selected to participate following a competitive process. "Regional Stages offers unprecedented collaborations between local government and industry, community members and professional and emerging arts practitioners. "There is potential for work developed under the initiative to become product for Queensland-wide tours."
Gold Coast Labor member Peta-Kaye Croft said she welcomed the new funding and said it would make a really difference to the cultural life of the Gold Coast. "We have the glitz and the glamour but we also have a vibrant arts and cultural scene and funding like this is important for that side of the Coast," she said. "This funding will help support that cultural life on the Gold Coast and I am delighted that the Gold Coast Arts Centre has received this funding."
Ms Bligh said Regional Stages would be complemented by the $1.9 million per annum touring fund for 2010 and 2011 which offered communities a selection of the best arts experiences available for touring. "For the first time, communities, local arts councils and schools can choose from a menu of tasty touring options, selecting the programs they want to see," Ms Bligh said.
"The new touring menu for 2010 is now in place following a highly-competitive application process with cabaret, puppetry, theatre, jazz, contemporary dance and music, theatre for children and young people, world music, circus and comedy all available.
"The menu for 2011 is due to be selected and available in May through arTour website www.artour.com.au so communities can plan their entertainment options well in advance.
Ms Bligh said the touring fund and Regional Stages were both initiatives from Coming to a Place Near You: Touring Strategy for performing arts in Queensland 2009-2014, which addressed today's demographics and the high expectations of Queensland audiences.
"My government is leading the way in developing new arts audiences by offering quality product in line with what people want to see," the Premier said.
Media contact: 07 32244500 04/03/2010