15/11/01
Innovative arts projects created by and for regional communities will be acknowledged at the 2001 State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards on November 22.
This is the first time support for regional arts and culture will be specifically recognised in the awards with the introduction of a new category by Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale.
"People living across our State should be able to have the same ability to access and participate in the arts as people living in Perth," Ms McHale said.
"A number of our leading businesses have taken on this challenge.
"More than $4million of corporate support has benefited Western Australian arts and culture in the past 18 months.
"Strategic partnerships involving artists, arts organisations and the communities have enabled regional towns to have access to the same cultural experiences as metropolitan residents.
"Regional towns have also been able to implement cultural development that reflects each community's unique identity."
The partnerships nominated for this year's awards have provided:
- transport and resources to enable artists and projects to tour throughout Western Australia;
- scholarships for Aboriginal students to study at the WA Academy of Performing Arts; and
- funding and resources for arts projects that have been developed, created and influenced by regional communities.
Communities throughout the State - including Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Cundelee, Kununurra, Oak Valley, Tjuntjuntjara, Port Hedland, Bunbury, Albany, Murchison, Katanning, Geraldton, Kalumburu, Derby, Mandurah, Harvey, Yarloop and Dwellingup - have benefited from these partnerships.
The nominees for the inaugural 'Outstanding Commitment to Regional Arts & Culture' award are:
Alcoa World Alumina Australia for its partnership with Fremantle Arts Centre;
Mazda WA for its partnership with Country Arts WA;
QantasLink for its partnership with seven arts organisations;
Water Corporation for its partnership with the West Australian Symphony;
Western Metals for its partnership with the West Australian Ballet; and
WMC Resources for its partnership with Black Swan Theatre Company and with the WA Academy of Performing Arts.
More than 100 nominations for six prestige awards and three categories of endorsements were received for the 2001 State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards.
The winner of the 'Outstanding Commitment to Regional Arts and Culture' Award, and other category winners, will be announced at the Business and the Arts Dinner on November 22.
Media contact: Priscilla Fouracres on 08 9213 6900
