Arts grants - Fremantle

1/7/94

Arts Minister Peter Foss today announced financial assistance totalling more than $80,000 for arts activities in Fremantle later this year and early in 1994.

Mr Foss said investment in the arts yielded great cultural and economic benefits for the State.

"According to recent figures, the arts and cultural industries employ nearly 19,000 people, representing a 30 per cent growth in employment in this sector in the past two years. 

"The arts have important economic spin-offs, particularly for other industries such as tourism.

"This financial assistance means that Western Australians throughout the State will be able to enjoy and participate in a diverse range of arts activities."

The projects are:

·       $4,700 to writer Carolyn Logan to prepare a new novel for young adults, set in country WA, dealing with several themes, including Aboriginal/white relations, and the difficulties faced by some young women balancing career aspirations and familial expectations.

·       $4,300 to Steps Youth Dance Company, of North Fremantle, to employ choreographers to create new dance works, which will be shown in a public performance later in the year.

·       $10,000 to the Artists' Foundation of WA for a research and marketing project for disabled artists.

·       $4,000 to 2 Dance Plus of North Fremantle, for a series of metropolitan performances and workshops for senior citizens in September.

·       $6,150 to the Artists' Foundation of WA, for employment of a part-time marketing and promotions officer.

·       $1,800 to the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre, towards the residency of children's writer and illustrator, Elizabeth Stanley later this year.

·       $8,000 to the City of Fremantle to conduct a weekend of A Capella singing workshops and performance, called "Voices Moves", during this year's Festival of Fremantle.

·       $1,700 to the Palmyra Community Recreation Centre, to employ visual and textile artists to work with community groups at the Centre.  This is the second stage of a project connected with the "Interchange" project for disabled people.

·       $5,000 to composer Neville Dowling, of Hamilton Hill, for the production and promotion of a CD of original music entitled 'The Leeuwin Way', featuring nine compositions reflecting different locations in the South-West region.

·       $5,300 to Sian Phillips, of Fremantle, to attend a three-month intensive physical circus skills course at the Circus Space in London.

·       $3,060 to puppeteer Peter Hartland, towards a series of practical demonstrations and performances showing the creative and business sides of a puppet theatre, including playwriting and puppet construction.  These workshops will take place at several locations in the Eastern Goldfields in August.

·       $12,000 to Kriszta Bodonyi, of Fremantle, for a mime theatre project, based on movement, visuals, special effects and words.  The project will be developed between July and November, with performances during November/December.

·       $4,800 to Spare Parts Theatre, to conduct workshops in puppetry and dance, towards the ultimate development of a script for adult puppet theatre.

·       $10,000 to circus troupe, Bizircus, towards the costs of bringing two guest trainers to work with the company in August/September to help develop new skills and extend the repertoire.

The Fremantle region will also benefit from assistance to the Children's Book Council of Australia, which will bring two renowned children's authors/illustrators from the Eastern States for tours of metropolitan centres, including Cockburn, during Children's Book Week in August.

For further information, please contact Mary Wright-Department for the Arts (09) 427 1212

Media contact:   Jeanne Klener 325 8655 / 222 9595.