Funding fast tracks tours

Camerata, Queensland Chamber Orchestra will perform in Noosa.

Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Red Chair’s Compass Project of musical acts, Shake & Stir Theatre Co and Shock Therapy Arts will tour Noosa and the Sunshine Coast this year thanks to state government funding.

“The newly streamlined Touring Queensland Fund (TQF) is investing nearly $892,000 for 11 tours with performances from Mapoon and Normanton in the far north to Mount Isa, Thargomindah and Barcaldine in the outback and to the Sunshine, Central and Gold Coasts,” Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said.

“In addition, five of the recipients will also be supported with a further $273,203 to secure full-time industry placements that will boost touring management and production capacity, grow skills and capacity, and create new employment opportunities for emerging arts workers.

“Support for industry placements is a new feature integrated across arts funding programs to address skills gaps and grow the scale and capacity of the creative workforce ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Minister Enoch said many of the tours incorporated accompanying workshops and school programs focused on dance, drama, music, visual arts and theatre.

“Shake & Stir and Shock Therapy are both touring extensively, presenting multiple productions to Queensland schools,” Ms Enoch said.

“These are the first touring outcomes supported through Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan of Creative Together: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, which is supported with an additional investment of $50 million.

“Touring Queensland Fund is also the first to be supported by a new approach to funding assessment with a peer assessment panel comprised of 50 per cent First Nations panel members.”

Additional single and multi-year applications to the Touring Queensland Fund are now open, and close 27 February for tours starting from May. For more information go to arts.qld.gov.au