$26 million for Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts projects

Jeremy Eccles | 19.11.12

Author: Jeremy Eccles
News source: Press Release

More than $26 million is up for grabs for community groups to showcase the best of Australia's Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts.

Arts Minister Simon Crean today called on community organisations to apply for the 2013–14 Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts funding round to support a range of cultural projects including the revival and maintenance of Indigenous languages.

"As home to the world's oldest living culture Australia has a unique cultural story to tell—not only are we welcoming to greatest diversity of cultures—we are also producing some of the most exciting and dynamic new art forms on earth," Mr Crean said.

"Our rich Indigenous tradition and culture is part of our national and international identity and is one that we must continue to preserve, promote and show pride in.

"The funding supports activities by community organisations in urban, regional and remote areas including cultural festivals, music, dance and theatre, multimedia workshops with young people, professional visual arts practice and networks of language centres.

"Previous funding rounds have seen community organisations embracing new media and digital technology projects. In the West Arnhem Shire a remote Northern Territory School has recently begun using an iPad app to transcribe a range of endangered Indigenous languages.

"The funding is helping transform the way Indigenous people connect with culture and creating a cultural fusion of the old with the new."

Funding is available through the following programs:

Indigenous Culture Support which helps to maintain Indigenous culture through community involvement, assists the transmission of knowledge and skills across generations and develops and supports new forms of cultural expression.
Indigenous Languages Support which provides funding for the maintenance and revival of Australia's Indigenous languages.
Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support which provides funding for Indigenous art centres and industry service organisations.

The 2013–14 funding round closes to applications at 11.59 pm AEDST on 1 February 2013.

URL: http://www.minister.regional.gov.au

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