Queensland Budget Backs Arts, Culture and Venues

The 2010/11 Queensland Budget has provided extensive funds for arts, cultural development and venues in the State.

Within an arts budget of $232 million, a 68% increase in funding since 1998, initiatives include:

• A $42.5 million commitment to the Cairns Cultural Precinct, consisting of the State-owned $40 million site and $2.5 million as a one-third contribution of funding for detailed planning of the project;
• $12.1 new funding over four years for the Queensland Art Gallery to deliver major art exhibitions into the future;
• $4 million new funding for regional arts infrastructure over the next four years to upgrade existing facilities and undertake planning for new infrastructure in our regions;
• $1 million new funding over the next two years to undertake planning and design work on a major redevelopment of Queensland Museum.
• $1.2 million extra funding over the next two years for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh said this year's Budget launched the next chapter of arts and cultural development in Queensland stating "we've seen the Millennium Arts projects, Gallery of Modern Art, Centre of Contemporary Art Cairns, the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough, and The Edge all now built, fully operational and exceeding expectations.

"The National Carriage Factory in Toowoomba is near completion and will open in September 2010.

"It's time to plan the next phase of investment in cultural infrastructure in Queensland."

Speaking of the Cairns Cultural precinct, Premier Bligh said that the project "will breathe new life into the Cairns economy and add a major new attraction to the Cairns visitor experience, as well as be a showcase for indigenous art and performance."

The Queensland's Governments contribution to the project consists of a transfer of the State owned port land valued at $40 million and $2.5 million as a one third contribution of funding for detailed planning of the project.

Other funding commitments include $5 million for the Mackay Showgrounds.