Creating jobs in a strong economy

The Queensland Government invests in organisations and projects that require a broad range of roles and expertise both within the sector and the wider workforce. Arts, cultural and creative workers are supported to develop their skills, products and businesses through career and professional development opportunities. Innovative and transformative business ideas are supported to unlock new or untapped opportunities and resources, diversifying business incomes and building sustainable organisations.

Celebrating our Community’s Heritage and Identity – Thallon Silos Mural

A new artwork on Thallon’s giant grain silos is enlivening the local community and serving as a cultural tourism drawcard for the area.

Big names and ideas showcased at BIGSOUND

BIGSOUND 2018, Australia’s largest gathering for the contemporary music industry, is bringing together thought-leaders, delegates and artists from across the globe.

Arts funding activates Queensland artists

The Palaszczuk Government is supporting 16 artists and arts workers with funding to help them undertake international partnerships, professional development and mentorship opportunities Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch has announced.

Palaszczuk Government backs Indigenous performing arts

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, arts workers and performers in Queensland will embark on new projects and career pathways as a result of significant investment by the Palaszczuk Government.

Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir) on stand / From Thor 2011 © 2017 MARVEL

Thor premiere hammers home Queensland’s screen success

The Australian premiere of international blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok on the Gold Coast marks another major achievement for Queensland’s screen industry, Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.

Forsayth by Night

A new social history tourism opportunity in Forsayth is providing benefits to the community.

Building the capacity of individual artists, arts and cultural organisations

Arts Queensland programs
Arts Queensland investment supports capacity building opportunities, programs and projects and organisations, contributing to employment outcomes for the sector. Examples of program include:

Individuals Fund: supporting individual artists and cultural workers (emerging and established) to participate in transformational professional and career development opportunities.
Queensland Arts Showcase Program: funding to support individuals, organisations or collectives to deliver vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences for Queensland. An objective of the fund is to strengthen professional development and the creation of employment and training opportunities for Queensland’s small to medium arts and cultural sector.
Playing Queensland Fund: supporting the delivery of performing and visual arts projects that are ready to tour and have demonstrated community interest and confirmed demand. The Fund supports employment and training opportunities for Queensland artists and arts workers.
Organisations Fund 2017-2020: Four-year investment to contribute to the core operations of small to medium organisations in delivering arts and cultural activities that generate public value to Queensland. An objective of the fund is the employment and promotion of Queensland artists and arts workers.

Screen Queensland programs
Screen Queensland programs provide support to the Queensland screen industry through investment in production and development of screen stories, games development and marketing investment, and support for individuals and production companies to take products to market. Screen Queensland also delivers a number of targeted initiatives to support the Queensland screen industry and create screen pathways for key creatives and crew.

Supporting businesses

Arts Business Innovation Fund
Arts Queensland’s Arts Business Innovation Fund (ABIF) supports innovation to strengthen income generating and entrepreneurial capacity in Queensland-based not-for-profit arts and cultural businesses. The Fund is an initiative of the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF).

ABIF responds to innovative business ideas that will help Queensland arts and cultural organisations to achieve their vision into the future.
ABIF provides investment for not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations. Both the Queensland Government and TFFF have contributed $500,000 to the fund.

Advance Queensland programs and initiatives
The Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland initiative supports programs that drive innovation, build on Queensland’s natural advantages and help raise the state’s profile as an attractive investment destination. A number of the programs support cultural and creative workers, organisations and businesses to gain insight into new markets, commercialise market-ready innovative ideas and develop high-quality digital content, reach new global audiences, and build collaboration. Programs include Create Queensland Program, Startup Catalyst, Ignite Ideas Fund and Advancing Regional Innovation Program.

Sustainable First Nations sector

Backing Indigenous Arts
Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) is a Queensland Government initiative designed to create economic opportunities and build sustainable and ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries in Queensland. BIA provides support for:

three festivals, including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
14 Indigenous Arts Centres
The Indigenous Arts Centre Alliance, the peak body delivering support services and capacity building to the Indigenous Arts Centres network
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing artists and companies (through contestable funding)
career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts workers.

Cultural Tourism

Queensland Destination Events Program
The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP) is designed to recognise the crucial link between events and the destinations in which they are staged. The objectives of the QDEP include generating local economic activity and development in the host destination, and enhancing the profile of the host destination.

Major Events
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) works collaboratively with government, industry and Queensland destination partners to identify, attract, develop and promote major events in Queensland that deliver significant value.