Remote Festivals Funding Available in 2007

Remote festivals funding will be made easier to access in 2007, Arts and Museums Minister Marion Scrymgour said today.

Ms Scrymgour said funding would be split into two categories - up to $7500 for arts programming and up to $15,000 for the development of community festivals - both aiming to assist the sustainability and artistic development of remote Territory festivals.

"Remote festivals represent a significant contribution to the physical and spiritual wellbeing of communities by celebrating community participation, fostering the Territory's identity and uniqueness and promoting cultural development.

"Remote festivals also contribute to sustainable economic, social and regional development, creating employment for artists and encouraging the celebration of cultural and regional diversity."

Ms Scrymgour said that splitting the categories into two would simplify application processes.

"The first, smaller category offers festivals a simplified application process, allowing remote festivals to apply for funding.

"The second category is for remote festivals to initiate or support long term development and festivals applying for this category are urged to position their submission towards increasing cultural tourism opportunities and/or developing or continuing a significant focus on the arts."

Ms Scrymgour said new festivals such as the inaugural Yarralin Airshow and Arts Festival, the Lingalonga Festival at Batchelor or the Maningrida Recovery Festival were made possible through Remote Festivals Funding in 2006.

She said the NT Government allocated $970,000 to support festivals across the NT in 2006, including $134,000 to 11 remote festivals through the Remote Festivals Fund.

"Since 2002, the NT Government has significantly increased funding support to festival celebrations.

Applications for Remote Festivals Funding close on 28 February 2007, with notification expected by mid-April 2007 to accommodate an early festival season start.

For more information on guidelines and application forms please visit Arts NT's website www.arts.nt.gov.au or contact Arts NT on 8999 8981 or toll free on 1800
678 237.