Queensland music festivals score state funding

Three music festivals were among the 13 diverse artworks which received totalling $415,065 worth of funding from the Queensland state government as part of its Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP).

The Nambour Winter Jazz Fest received $8,731 to help deliver its 2018 event on July 21.

Minister for the arts Leeanne Enoch said the festival, “is becoming a highlight of the state’s jazz calendar, and this year’s headliner Vince Jones is sure to draw many fans.

“I’m pleased the government’s QASP funding can assist diverse arts and cultural experiences like this, with fine wine and food to accompany the great music available across the festival’s two venues.”

Brisbane’s Dead of Winter Festival, Brisbane received $20,000 towards all-day music and arts festival, which will showcase 40 bands and 10 performing artists in the Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct.

Winton-based duo The Crackup Sisters got funding of $25,070 to oversee the Big Red Rumble community project involving 200 young people as part of the Birdsville Big Red Bash.

“Through QASP, the Palaszczuk government has invested $8.2 million in more than 250 projects since September 2015, creating opportunities and experiences for Queenslanders either as an arts worker, participant or audience member,” the minister said.

She was pleased that non-music recipients of previous funding were having a ripple effect.’

For example, the 2018 Queensland Poetry Festival will in its 11^th year develop a number of satellite events to take place around Queensland as well as drawing 80 local and international poets and voices to the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts from August 23–26 August.

Townsville’s Umbrella Studios ($44,681) will develop Legacy: Reflections on Mabo, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Native Title campaigner Eddie Mabo, that will travel around Queensland.