Council increases commitment to community and culture
24 June 2021
Ipswich City Council has furthered its commitment to supporting community organisations in the 2021-22 Budget, with a particular focus on funding for the arts.
Almost $1 million has been allocated to grants for clubs and organisations, through major and minor funding and other programs that support local groups with infrastructure, improvements, and resilience-building.
A total of $100,000 has been allocated to arts and creative projects, in partnership with Arts Qld and the regional arts development fund (RADF).
Community, Culture, Arts and Sports Committee Chair Andrew Fechner said local organisations and clubs are the lifeblood of the community.
“Much of what makes Ipswich so vibrant and liveable is thanks to our passionate volunteers, artists, musicians, creators, performers, sportspeople, club members and staff,” Cr Fechner said.
“In our first year in office, council delivered more than $1.2 million to assist local organisations, artists and small businesses through the pandemic.
“The 2021-22 Budget continues our commitment to empower the organisations at the heart of our community”.
The new funding will be supported with a governance program, ‘Stronger Communities’, helping community and sporting groups to develop the skills and succession plans they need to be vital, sustainable and enjoyable to work in.
With the recent appointment of a Creative Industries Development Officer, this year will see council actively strengthening Ipswich’s creative economy, providing business skills workshops for our creators, increasing industry and community connections and access to vital resources and infrastructure.
In the first half of this financial year, council will work with Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) to deliver Creative Business Champions sessions as part of the Creative Business Hub, focusing on business growth, grant writing, fund raising and live music.
Cr Fechner said that council’s world-class calendar of events remains a clear focus.
“We’ll continue to enthusiastically celebrate our city’s arts, culture and heritage through significant festivals such as Spark Ipswich, our reimagined Ipswich Festival, and Galvanised, celebrating Ipswich’s heritage buildings,” Cr Fechner said.
“I have a deep love and affinity for the arts and our city’s creators and I’m proud of this Budget and of council’s efforts to support a vibrant, creative and inclusive community.”