Reigniting arts festivals across regional Australia

The Morrison Government is continuing to reactivate the arts and cultural sector in regional Australia, with 25 projects set to share in more than $870,000, under Round 12 of the Festivals Australia program.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Festivals Australia program celebrates cultural projects and helps make them available to regional audiences across the country.

“The latest round of funding will support 25 diverse projects spanning music, theatre and visual arts – a strong reflection on Australia’s diverse arts sector which will help attract tourists and bring communities together,” Minister Fletcher said.

“We know that regional and remote artists, organisations and communities have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why we’re continuing to deliver record financial assistance to support their recovery.”

Creative Economy Taskforce Chair and Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Ms Liz Ann Macgregor, said the funding will generate considerable benefits for Australia’s regional economies, especially given the ongoing impacts and uncertainty of COVID-19.

“The impact of this funding will go beyond festivals, as such events are a significant tourism driver for regions,” Ms Macgregor said.

“Research shows that attending events such as a festival or cultural event is the main reason for visiting a regional area for 57 per cent of first-time visitors. There will be extensive flow-on employment and economic benefits to local businesses, as well as for the cultural and creative sector.”

The Morrison Government is investing more than $1 billion into the arts and creative sector through a diverse range of programs in 2021-22. The Festivals Australia program supports arts projects that invite community participation and audience engagement at festivals across the country.

For more information on the Festivals Australia program, visit: http://www.arts.gov.au/festivals-australia