December 7, 2020
South Burnett Regional Council has joined with the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg councils in a unique collaboration to extend arts services across the region.
The seven-month long project will mean the Central Queensland Regional Arts Network (CQ RASN) will organise arts activities and events across the Wide Bay and Burnett, including workshops and forums.
The State Government’s Regional Arts Services Networks were established during a shake-up of arts services in Queensland two years ago.
CQ RASN – which is administered by the Central Queensland University – stretches from the Whitsundays to the Central Highlands and South Burnett. Arts officers were appointed to work within defined clusters within this area.
Trudie Leigo was given responsibility for the Wide Bay-Burnett cluster which includes the South Burnett and Cherbourg council areas.
The latest project, jointly funded by the South Burnett, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg council, will mean Trudie will be allocated more hours to work on projects within these council areas.
“This collaborative project could not have come at a better time,” Trudie Leigo said.
“Artists – like so many small businesses – have been greatly impacted by COVID 19.
“This project focuses on building the skills of artists and artworkers, as well as increasing opportunities for communities across the Wide Bay and Burnett.
“As we recover from the pandemic, we will be bringing people back together again, to learn, to get hands-on and to support each other.”
Trudie will also be offering “by appointment” advice sessions to artists and arts workers to help get their projects and ideas off the ground.
“Between the three councils we have contributed almost $80,000 to this collaborative project,” Cr Danita Potter said.
“It’s in times of adversity that we have to think differently, act courageously and work strategically.
“We believe by working together we can achieve better opportunities for our artists and our communities.”
The project will run from December 2020 through to June 2021.
It has been made possible with the support of the State Government through Arts Queensland, the Regional Arts Services Network and the Regional Arts Development Fund.
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