Festival of Arts fringe program events receive funding boost

Concept development for the trail was just one of 13 exciting projects supported by the round.

According to the applicant, Eva Browne-Paterson, local artisans will create and showcase seven artistic pieces using recycled marine debris at key locations on Keswick Island.

Ms Browne-Paterson said the project had been accepted into the Mackay Festival of Arts Fringe Events program to be held at the end of July 2022.

“We plan to hold a tourism event with Wild Cat Mackay bringing 40 guests and local MPs to Keswick Island on the official opening day to view the art trail,” she said.

“The art trail will be ephemeral, lasting for four months until early December 2022, depending on the weather.”

RADF Committee chair Cr Fran Mann said $5656 had been approved for the project through the Green Arts category to facilitate research and the development of ideas, designs and project plans.

Cr Mann said two other events in the Festival of Arts fringe program had also been supported.

“The Mackay Chamber Music Festival received a $5000 grant,” Cr Mann said. “The festival brings professional chamber music expertise to Mackay and is strongly supported by community musicians and audiences.

“The chamber festival is in its fourth year, and this year will feature internationally acclaimed soprano Anna Smith.

“This addition will broaden the reach of the festival to include choirs and the Mackay Choral Society and will support its educational program.

“In fact, there will be three masterclasses on offer – one for pianists, one for string instrumentalists and one for vocalists.”

Also supported, to the value of $3175, was Mingle at Melba.

“This event includes operatic and jazz arts performances at Melba House and is a cultural experience showcasing the Pioneer Valley,” Cr Mann said. “Mingle at Melba was a runaway success during last year’s Festival of Arts and has a formula that proved to be a big drawcard, so the committee is excited to see it back for 2022.”

The following funds were also allocated to exciting projects:

• $4720 (Green Arts category) for Audible Pulse to create the BEE AWARE exhibition and celebration in homage to our native bees
• $3948 (Young People category) for Connor Mckinney-Moss for concept development for his debut EP project French Press
• $6500 (Young People category) for Nortica, a band including Tate Obst, Jasper Obst and Jarell Corowa, to travel to the Sunshine Coast to record a five-track EP
• $1800 for Noosa Film Academy to conduct the Mackay State High School Screen Production and Digital Entrepreneurship Workshop and Red-Carpet Screening Event
• $6900 for Agnes Durbet for concept development for Capturing Osmium, a new body of works based on our local historical industrial sites in Mackay
• $7042 for the Finch Hatton Progress Association for phase three of the Finch Hatton Art Trail/Flood Wall
• $3285 for Pioneer Valley Arts Inc for a series of educational creative workshops in the Badila Gallery in the Pioneer Valley (Pinnacle)
• $3238 for the Eungella Community Development Association to hold the Eungella Ceilidh, featuring the Mackay and District Pipe Band.
• $6820 for The Base Coats to record a five-track EP with release and management services
• $6260 for Makers’ Shopfront for an exhibition celebrating the outcomes of the CQ Shopfront project

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was investing $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of approximately $2.3 million from 59 councils across the state.

“RADF is a great example of working together to deliver our COVID-19 economic recovery plan, supporting employment opportunities and creating new arts and cultural experiences in local and regional communities,” Minister Enoch said.

“RADF in 2021-2022 will provide valuable social, health and economic outcomes for regional Queenslanders, and support our government’s 10-year arts roadmap priorities to strengthen Queensland communities, activate local places and drive social change across the state,” she said.