Major arts boost for Western Sydney

A program by The Australian Ballet where the nation’s best dancers work with children in Western Sydney is one of $2.3 million in new arts grants for the region announced today by Minister for the Arts, Virginia Judge.

Announcing the grant with the company’s Artistic Director, David McAllister, Ms Judge said she was looking forward to seeing the next generation of dancers draw inspiration from the nation’s flagship ballet company.

“The Australian Ballet’s vision for Western Sydney truly reflects the organisation’s core values of creativity, professionalism and custodianship,” Ms Judge said.

“Its Western Sydney Strategy tears down geographical barriers and builds on the fine work the company is already doing in the community.

“Community interest in dance is at unprecedented levels – approximately 300,000 across the country take private ballet or dance classes each week.

“Now is the perfect time to see that interest translated into increased access and active participation.”

The $35,000 grant will help The Australian Ballet to continue a strong partnership with The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre at Penrith, and bring education workshops to Blacktown Arts Centre and Campbelltown Arts Centre for the first time to increase access to and participation in ballet among school and community groups.

“I am determined to ensure NSW remains the premier State for the creative industries – and that support does not end with the Sydney CBD,” Ms Judge said.

“Western Sydney is the geographic heart of Australia’s most creative city and home to approximately 2 million people of all cultural backgrounds.

“It is Australia’s most ethnically diverse region, including Parramatta, Blacktown and Bankstown which are rapidly emerging as the State’s most exciting cultural hubs.”

Other highlights of the 2010 program include:

• $25,000 to Parramatta-based Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) to present East (London) West (Sydney). UK and Australian hip-hop artists participating in a residency program funded by the British Council will stage major hip-hop and urban multi-artform performances in Western Sydney and Sydney CBD.

• $150,000 for Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre 2010 program, which will commemorate the 2010 Bicentenary of the City of Liverpool through a diverse range of exhibitions,

• $130,000 for the Children and Young People Literature Program at Blacktown, which encourages writing, reading and an appreciation of literature among children and young people in Blacktown and greater Western Sydney.

• $150,000 for Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre 2010 program, which will commemorate the 2010 Bicentenary of the City of Liverpool through a diverse range of exhibitions, public programs, education and creative development projects.

• $29,000 to Aurora New Music Inc to stage the 2010 International Society for Contemporary Music World New Music Days. Aurora New Music will partner with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, ABC Classic FM and the Australian Music Centre to present 22 concerts over 10 days. Thirteen of these concerts will be presented as part of the Aurora Festival, predominantly in Western Sydney.

• $20,000 to Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Ltd for the exhibition Disorder, Disorder: Art, DIY and Subculture and related publication. It will feature 20 contemporary Australian and international artists working in more extreme forms of urban arts, including contemporary street culture, anti-establishment art, out-lawism and suburban life.

• $28,860 to Fairfield City Council to continue two successful storytelling projects. These projects were sparked by a community need to validate the turmoil of boat people and offer a medium for Vietnamese parents and their children to communicate with each other.

“This funding enables practitioners and organisations to deliver world-class works and experiences for growing audiences across the region,” Ms Judge said.

“It encourages the development of fresh new talent as well as supporting Australia’s premier centres of artistic and cultural excellence.”

Ms Judge said the grants formed part of the State Government’s $42.7 million 2010 Arts Funding Program.

“I am particularly proud of the Government’s support for community-based organisations,” she said.

“Western Sydney has a wealth of talent with great local stories to share.

“Our creative industries employ more than 340,000 people whose hard work and vision help shape our identity.

“The Government’s role is to find ways to support artistic practice and encourage greater community participation – and as Arts Minister I will champion those goals.”