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A word from the Minister
Whether it is in music, the performing or visual arts, we have the opportunity to project to the world an image of Australia as an innovative and diverse nation.
Our contemporary music has a well-deserved international reputation and we recently announced a series of new initiatives to strengthen the independent music sector.
The three-year, $1.8 million package will help target new markets for Australian contemporary music and boost the marketing and business skills of music managers.
This package follows hot on the heels of the first round of grants in the Contemporary Music Touring Program.
Twenty-four grants were awarded to musicians to take a wide range of music including jazz, country music, rock and roll and blues across the country.
The grants allow the bands to tour to places they wouldn't normally be able to reach and gives new audiences, particularly in regional and remote areas, the chance to experience some of the best new Australian talent.
And it's not just music that will be taking to the road this year.
The latest Playing Australia, Visions of Australia and Festivals Australia grants help a rich tapestry of performances, festivals and artistic endeavour to reach communities across the country.
Almost $4.5 million was awarded to 103 artistic projects-a substantial investment to enrich the cultural lives of Australians and international visitors.
There really is something for everyone in the arts this year-no matter where they live.
That is what the Government has been working towards.
To make the arts accessible and to demonstrate that regional Australia is burgeoning with creativity as well as our cities.
And to encourage people to participate in this groundswell of artistic activity.
This year will make us all proud of the enormous talent we have in Australia.
I am greatly looking forward to what we will achieve.
Peter McGauran
Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation