Entertainment
21 January, 2023
Circa Cairns soars to new heights
ARTS Minister Leeanne Enoch announced on Monday funding of $900,000 to support the First Nations-led based contemporary circus ensemble, Circa Cairns.
The funding comprising $250,000 through the Arts and Cultural Recovery Package and $650,000 over two years to 2024-25 through the new Strategic Partnerships Fund will realise key priorities of Queensland’s 10-year Creative Together strategy in supporting Circa Cairns.
“The Palaszczuk Government is supporting Circa on its new Circa Cairns initiative, launched in July, to realise First Nations leadership and artist participation in circus as an art form,” Minister Enoch said.
“Circa is leveraging Queensland Government investment with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF) committing $900,000 to match state funding for Circa Cairns over three years.”
Minister Enoch said the Strategic Partnerships Fund was created to incentivise partnerships and collaborations that grow new arts funding in the sector.
“The combined support from our Government and TFFF is a great opportunity for Circa to boost its reputation for exceptional physical theatre and to provide career pathways and employment with a focus on First Nations artists and artworkers,” she said.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said Circa Cairns was already engaging with artists in Far North Queensland to establish its path to success.
“Circa Cairns is developing an ambitious program of works, presenting the world premiere of From Old Things at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre in Cairns in November along with an exciting cabaret performance in August,” Mr Healy said.
“This further commitment from the Palaszczuk Government will help ensure Circa builds on these successors and supports the development of a strong cultural tourism offering for visitors.” Yaron Lifschitz, Circa Artistic Director and CEO, said the funding would allow them to achieve significant social change.
“What began as a bold dream has become a reality thanks to the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation,” Mr Lifschitz said.
“The Circa Board and Staff were unwavering in their efforts to make this happen, and we aren’t an easy team to say no to when we believe in something.
“And we believe that culture is not limited to capital cities nor is it the domain of any one group; we believe that circus is a force for both social engagement and deep artistic connection, and we believe that solid organisational growth strategies can be innovative, creative and can produce great social and economic value.
“We are thrilled to have the chance to watch Harley (Creative Lead), and his team put these beliefs into practice in Cairns over the coming years,” he said.
Circa Cairns, led by Harley Mann, a proud Wakka Wakka man, aims to feature seven full-time Cairns-based artists by 2025, with First Nations Artists comprising half or more of its members.
“Art comes from people and their stories. I’m fascinated by stories that don’t look the same, that don’t come from the same people and don’t come from the same places,” Mr Mann said.
Minister Enoch said the new funding for Circa builds on Palaszczuk Government’s core operational funding to the company through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.
