Barnaby Joyce welcomes support for the Indigenous visual arts industry in Armidale

30 Jul 2015

 

FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place will receive a grant of $80,000 to provide services to visual artists based in the Armidale region.

 

Mr Joyce, who was in Armidale today undertaking Electorate and Ministerial appointments said the funding announcement would benefit the Cultural Centre and Keeping Place.

 

“It was great to be in Armidale to meet with Tom Briggs and Hazel Green from the Aboriginal Lands council to discuss the importance of local input and planning in Closing the Gap policy implementation,” he said. 

 

“It was also great to visit the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre to announce funding of $80,000 which is very important in continuing the cultural link between the Aboriginal people and the Armidale district.

 

“The Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place plays an important role in our local community and I congratulate this organisation on their successful application.

 

“I am delighted that the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program will enhances the cultural life and identity of our region and communities by supporting our unique local artists,” Mr Joyce said.

 

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program will contribute to the operations of a national network of around 80 Indigenous-owned arts centres and five service organisations that are at the heart of Australia’s internationally-renowned Indigenous visual arts movement. 

 

Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, announced $22.2 million in funding for 97 organisations to support and develop professional Indigenous visual arts practice and further strengthen the sector.

 

He said these Indigenous art centres produce world-renowned art, as well as providing training, economic development, leadership and employment opportunities.

 

“As a result of this program more than 6,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are supported in their art practice, enriching the nation’s cultural life and passing their culture and stories to the next generation,” he said.

 

“This funding will also enable art centres to provide training, leadership and employment opportunities for around 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts workers living and working in some of Australia’s remotest communities,” Senator Brandis said.

 

Funding through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program includes $11 million committed in previous years through multi-year funding agreements.  

 

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