Media releases

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands to receive community arts funding.

THE HON BRENDAN O'CONNOR MP
Minister for Home Affairs

THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Member for Lingiari

The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today announced Australian Government funding for two community art programs for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

 The Australian Government is providing $170,317 for Christmas Island’s Neighbourhood Centre’s Community Circus and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands’ Big Barge Arts Company’s Art Adrift projects.

“These projects give residents the opportunity to be involved in community art and to further explore their heritage,” Mr O’Connor said.

 “The Community Circus will explore Christmas Island stories through performance while the Art Adrift project highlights the nautical culture of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands through traditional and new artistic elements.

“I congratulate both organisations on their successful applications and the positive effect they are having on their communities.

The Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said the Australian Government is committed to helping the island communities develop skills and build community and economic resilience.

“In addition to highlighting the cultures of the Indian Ocean Territories, the performance and artistic skills developed through these projects offer the Islanders increased opportunities in areas such as tourism,” Mr Snowdon said.

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Copyright © 2004-5 Warren Snowdon MP. This page was last updated on 25 June 2009.