$166,913 for two projects promoting unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and arts in the New England Electorate
The Coalition Government is providing more than $22 million to support the maintenance of Indigenous languages and showcase Indigenous arts and culture through the Indigenous Languages and Arts program.
This funding will support a range of activities including large scale contemporary works in dance, music and theatre and traditional Indigenous arts practices and projects.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said two organisations in the New England Electorate will share in more than $250,000 of funding through the Federal Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program.
“I am pleased to announce that 2 Rivers Pty Ltd has received $121,700 and Arts North West $145,213 for the respective projects, Looking Through Windows and Rivers to Ridges.
The project Looking Through Windows is a multimedia exhibition created by Lorina Barker, a student at the University of New England. It explores the removal, dispossession and ‘protection’ of Aboriginal people in NSW and will be exhibited at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in late 2017, then at the Diggers on the Darling in March 2018 and the Campbelltown Art Centre in May?June 2018.
The Rivers to Ridges project aims to provide opportunities for Aboriginal artists to translate and share stories at workshops that will be presented in a multimedia format over two years. In the year 2016?17 it will receive $69,897 and in 2017?18 the funding amount is $75,316.
“These projects will contribute to a vibrant and diverse Indigenous cultural landscape where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are empowered to maintain, celebrate and promote their arts and languages,” Mr Joyce said.
The Minister for the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield said the Coalition Government will provide $22.8 million to showcase Indigenous cultural and artistic expression and support the maintenance of Indigenous languages.
“The Indigenous Languages and Arts program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to keep their cultural identity strong by funding arts and languages organisations and projects,” Minister Fifield said.
Twenty-one Indigenous arts and languages organisations will receive almost $15 million over five years to support the revival and maintenance of Indigenous languages and the delivery of arts projects.
A further 63 Indigenous languages and arts projects will receive almost $8 million for projects to be undertaken over the next two years.
The Indigenous Languages and Arts program helps to maintain and encourage participation in Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by providing support for projects and organisations for language and arts projects.
More information about the program is available at www.arts.gov.au