$2.2million funding to Festival of Perth

14/9/95

Premier Richard Court today said that Western Australian artists and art organisations would benefit greatly from Government funding of $2.2 million to the Festival of Perth.

Launching the 1996 Festival of Perth Poster and Calendar highlights, the Premier said it was important to assist the development of arts in WA and to provide opportunities for Western Australians to increase their awareness and enjoyment of the arts.

"The Government has given a commitment to provide, through the Lotteries Commission, $2.2 million to the Festival of Perth - an increase in total funding from $1.8 million last year," he said.

"The Festival of Perth is an important part of the State's events calendar - bringing high-quality international performers to WA and providing a showcase for local talent.

"The festival's growing reputation, particularly internationally, is also attracting overseas and interstate tourists to Perth."

Mr Court said the festival's tourism significance was recognised last year when it won the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism.

He said by funding the festival, the Government aimed to:

+          present internationally significant events to Western Australians;

+          bring overseas productions and artists to WA to assist the development of arts in WA;

+          provide a vehicle for the marketing and promotion of WA art products;

+          develop the economic significance or arts and promote the link between arts and tourism;

+          promote WA as a tourist venue by the promotion of the Festival of Perth as an international event; and -

+          contribute towards employment opportunities and the general economic development of the State.

Mr Court said an exciting calendar of events had again been compiled for the 1996 festival, including:

+          'The Eden Project' - a co-production involving the Chrissie Parrott Dance Company and Canadian contemporary choreographer Jean Pierre Perrault;

+          performances by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra;

+          'The Grimm's Tales' presented by The Young Vic Theatre from England; and -

+          the Bangarra Dance Company.

Mr Court said the 1996 Festival Poster had been designed by Aboriginal artist Mary Maclean and portrayed, in the artist's distinctive style, the cultural links between the Swan River and the City of Perth.