Funding enables Brisbane Festival to provide paid opportunities for arts workers

A new initiative will see $178,850 allocated from the Queensland Government to enable Brisbane Festival to provide paid opportunities for eight arts workers to develop their skills alongside professional artists and practitioners on major new projects and commissions to be presented as part of Brisbane Festival 2023.

This opportunity will see eight Queensland-based arts workers join the team behind the scenes to present the world premiere of Bananaland, created by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, along with a First Nations public artwork and an exciting site-specific production.

Emerging arts workers, recent graduates, and technical production students can apply to work for Brisbane Festival 2023 as assistants in sound design, technical, wardrobe, lighting or as an assistant stage manager.

The Brisbane Festival Capacity Building program is part of a wider Queensland Government initiative supporting arts Industry Placements in a new offering introduced as part of Grow 2022 – 2026, the second action plan of the Creative Together 10-year roadmap, and integrated across arts funding programs to grow sector capacity, address skills gaps and create creative employment opportunities.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina shares “Queensland's premier arts festival, Brisbane Festival lights up the city each September with extraordinary art, installations and live performances from home and across the world.

“Boldly Brisbane – we reflect the diversity and unique voice of our river city. Our people make the impossible possible through passion, hard work and care.

“Brisbane Festival is committed to providing development opportunities across the full breadth of our program, from internships to sector specific training, and supporting and facilitating the growth of local creatives and companies.”

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch adds “Brisbane Festival continues to create innovative and imaginative work in partnership with some of Queensland’s leading arts companies and practitioners.

“Last year, Brisbane Festival supported the employment of 1751 artists and arts workers, with this new capacity boosting initiative giving emerging practitioners experience in developing the skills required to deliver large scale cultural events within a festival environment while working alongside creative teams comprised of national and international talent.”

The Queensland Government provides annual operational funding for Brisbane Festival, and additional investment to build capacity complements the new Industry Placements initiative which is delivered across Arts Queensland funding programs.

To date, the State Government has committed more than $2 million to support 43 industry placements through Grow funding programs, and through Brisbane Festival.

Bananaland makes its debut in QPAC's Playhouse from 16th September to 1st October 2023.

For more information on the Brisbane Festival Capacity Building program, go to brisbanefestival.com.au/info/employment

Brisbane Festival 2023 is presented from 1st – 23rd September 2023.

For more information visit brisbanefestival.com.au