Landmark arts investment secures creative future for Queensland

The Queensland Government’s 2022-23 Budget will inject $115.5 million over the next four years to accelerate the growth of First Nations arts, boost the creative workforce, enhance and preserve the Queensland Cultural Centre, and strengthen the delivery of local arts experiences that drive social and economic outcomes in Queensland communities.

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the State Budget will be transformational for Queensland with a focus on embracing the opportunity of Brisbane 2032, bolstering our creative talent, and showcasing uniquely Queensland cultural experiences across the state.

“A new commitment of $50 million over four years will underpin Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan to deliver Creative Together: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts culture, and creativity in Queensland,” she said.

“This $50 million arts funding boost brings the total new Queensland Government investment into the state’s arts sector through Arts Queensland to almost $80 million since the roadmap’s launch in 2020.”

“Brisbane 2032 is set to be a powerful celebration of First Nations arts, with new investment enabling initiatives that will grow Queensland’s reputation for exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing and visual arts, with a focus on sharing the stories of First Nations peoples through the commissioning of new work and building robust supply chains to deliver economic outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities.”

“We will also help to secure and nurture the critical pipeline of local arts and cultural workers and companies that will fuel the state’s creative future. Key initiatives will foster partnerships and collaborations that grow place-based cultural tourism experiences that will deliver economic impact in communities and drive creative employment.

“Importantly, investment will boost the state’s cultural experience economy by supporting talented Queensland artists and organisations to make and present their work in Queensland, to export Queensland-made work to international markets and to attract the best arts and cultural leaders to work in Queensland,” said Minister Enoch.

Minister Enoch said the arts funding announcements would also leverage other significant investment the state is making across Queensland.

“Last week the Premier announced that the Palaszczuk Government will commit $20 million over three years to the Queensland Music Festival for the Queensland Music Trails, a ‘road trip meets music festival’ initiative that will supercharge Queensland’s reputation as a music tourism destination,” she said.

“With the development of new Screen Queensland Studios set for Cairns and supported by $5.8 million in additional Queensland Government funding in 2022-23, we have an opportunity to develop local content and destination events, cultivate cultural tourism and share the region’s unique stories.”

“This funding will help to position Queensland to shine on a global stage, showcasing First Nations arts and cultures and delivering new cultural infrastructure and experiences as part of an important legacy,” said Minister Enoch.

Minister Enoch said investment of $2 million in 2022-23 has secured the continuation of Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)’s work in developing and showcasing First Nations talent and stories and engaging wider audiences across the state through digital initiatives.

“This will reinforce QPAC’s role in building greater awareness and understanding of the contribution and beauty of First Nations arts and in extending its reach beyond its theatre walls to provide Queenslanders with high quality and diverse digital cultural experiences,” she said.

Minister Enoch said through the State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government continues to acknowledge the importance of investing in the preservation of the heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre for future generations, with investment supporting a significant $63.1 million program of work over four years.

“This work will include $58.1 million in critical infrastructure asset upgrades and maintenance works, and $5.1 million in enhancements to security and access to the Queensland Cultural Centre.”

Minister Enoch said the State Budget also includes an allocation of $400,000 in 2022-23 to develop a 10-year strategic plan for the acquisition and storage of the State collection.

“This year’s budget outcomes confirm the weight this government places on the telling and sharing of Queensland’s stories and heritage as central to our cultural identity, our wellbeing and our prosperity,” she said.

“We are on track to ensure all Queenslanders benefit from the once in a generation opportunity of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics and we are committed to cultivating Queensland artists, arts organisations, events and festivals, and cultural infrastructure that will drive economic outcomes and community connection,” said Minister Enoch.

Arts budget highlights:

$50 million over four years to support delivery of the Queensland Government’s 10-year Creative Together roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, through the Grow 2022-2026 action plan
$63.1 million program over four years across the Queensland Cultural Centre, including $58.1 million in critical infrastructure asset upgrades and maintenance works, and $5.1 million to enhance security and access
$400,000 to develop a 10-year strategic plan for the acquisition and storage methods of the State collection
$2 million in 2022-2023 to enable the Queensland Performing Arts Centre to continue First Nations performing arts initiatives and digital initiatives that extend programming and audience access

Tourism budget highlights: