Innovation Fund helps Brisbane-based circus to leap for new business
- 12 Dec 2016
Brisbane-based Vulcana Women’s Circus is taking its business to the next level with an investment from the Arts Business Innovation Fund (ABIF) for its Operation Enterprise initiative.
Vulcana will use the ABIF investment to offer tailored workshops and performance projects for communities and corporations, expand its engagement with young people, and create new opportunities in partnership with arts and community organisations.
This will allow the company, which has been operating since 1995, to introduce its unique arts offering to new markets, broaden engagement and explore new revenue streams.
“News of our successful Arts Business Innovation Fund proposal couldn’t come at a better time for Vulcana,“ said Vulcana General Manager Jo Pratt.
“Having recently transitioned away from a government-based funding model to that of a social enterprise, we are in the perfect position to leverage the funds to ensure the organisation’s business model is sustainable and to maximise growth opportunities.
“This investment will enable us to hone our marketing approach, expanding our geographic reach and capacity to transform, empower and celebrate communities, individuals and artists through the artform of Circus and our unique ethos of ‘challenge by choice,” Ms Pratt said.
The Queensland Government will invest $25 000 in Vulcana through ABIF, with matched loan funding from the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.
ABIF combines public and private investment with Queensland Government funding matched by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and has recently supported five other innovative new initiatives from Queensland organisations.
Arts Queensland works with a consortium comprising Foresters Community Finance, Positive Solutions and QUT Creative Enterprise Australia to manage ABIF.
ABIF combines a zero interest loan and Queensland Government funding. Successful applicants must match the investment with their own funding. Repaid loans are then re-invested in the ABIF funding pool.
Photo credit: Camille Santiago