Released 26/05/2020
The ACT Government is providing further investment to support the arts and events sector as we work to keep our city going through the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events Gordon Ramsay said that the creation of RISE Canberra, an online events calendar would serve as the one stop shop for all Canberra events during this uncertain time.
“The RISE Canberra Calendar will highlight events in our city that are going ahead, using non-traditional methods to avoid mass gatherings while fostering the jobs and economic stimulus our arts and events sector so desperately needs,” Minister Ramsay said.
“We acknowledge the significant role events play in the lives of Canberrans and the contribution the sector and it’s people make to the economy.
“The Government understands the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our events industry and we recognise the need to support our events sector to diversify, innovate and show leadership as we work to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic.”
RISE Canberra will also facilitate the creation of the Where You Are Festival, a $240,000 investment in our arts and events sector designed to promote jobs in the sector as we work to keep the sector going through the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canberra’s innovative creators and organisations will have the opportunity to apply for support through the Where You Are Festival through an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
The Where You Are Festival will launch on 10 July 2020 and be rolled out over the following two months.
“Canberra has an enviable reputation for delivering a range of spectacular, fascinating and diverse events throughout the year, events which bring the community together while delivering significant economic and social benefits” Minister Ramsay said.
“We will continue to support our arts and events sector as the Canberra community navigates the changing environment as we recover from the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A range of events are already listed on the RISE Canberra Calendar, many of which will be already familiar to the community, such as Reconciliation Day, Floriade: Reimagined, and the Great Australian Craft Show.
New events include a Wine Tasting Party online with Contentious Character, French Movies with Alliance Francaise de Canberra, and Kids Creating Art for Aged Care Canberra.
For more information, go to RISECanberra.com to see the RISE Canberra Calendar and guidelines for listing on the Calendar.
To find out more about the Where You Are Festival EOI process go to the Where You Are Festival page on RISECanberra.com.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases