Investment in arts touring services to benefit Queensland communities and arts sector

The Queensland Government’s investment of $3.8 million over three years in in arts touring services will see communities throughout the state be able to access high quality arts and cultural experiences.

Shake & Stir, a Queensland arts organisation renowned for its repertoire of high-quality curriculum-connected performances in schools, will be contracted to deliver Schools Touring Services for children and young people in kindergartens and schools in regional and remote communities.

The Queensland Government investment of $2.5 million over three years will support Shake & Stir’s delivery of schools touring services, including performances and workshops that enhance curriculum, as well as arts education resources and professional development for teachers.

Investment of almost $1.3 million over three years will support Stage Queensland, the industry peak body for performing arts centres in Queensland, to deliver a new model of State-wide Touring Services.

These services will support presenter and producer partnerships across the state, create new employment opportunities and activate halls, theatres, galleries, outdoor venues and festivals.

Stage Queensland’s touring services will grow sustainable touring approaches, provide vital touring brokerage support and market growth.  A First Nations tour coordinator will help activate opportunities for First Nations arts touring including audience development and use of diverse presentation spaces.

These new services build on Arts Queensland’s Touring Queensland Fund, which supports single and multi-year tours, accompanying workshops and school programs.

Queensland Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch MP notes  “Arts in education has never been so important, with the need for creative and critical thinking to drive our future communities and workforce in Queensland. Shake and Stir’s Schools Touring Services, in response to the needs of schools in remote and regional communities, will support students and teachers to engage with a rich heritage of stories, arts and cultural practices to enhance learning across the curriculum.

“Stage Queensland, as a state-wide peak body, is well positioned to deliver state-wide touring services, to drive outcomes for regional communities, including the strengthening of local touring circuits.

“These services build on strong investment of $4.2 million in 2022-23, which provided new employment opportunities including 10 industry placements, and connected Queenslanders living in 461 communities from Thargomindah to Toowoomba and Cairns to Cunnamulla with access to new and innovative works developed, performed and presented by Queenslanders.”

Image. Shake & Stir Theatre squad of instructors inspiring primary students - across 16 locations throughout SEQLD.