Community museums, galleries and historical societies across regional Australia are receiving an important boost under the Federal Coalition Government’s $3 million Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program, with the first batch of successful applicants announced.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry said the funding from the CHART program includes the following successful applicants:
- $2,804 – Friends of Archer Park Station & Steam Tram Museum Inc to purchase equipment for volunteers to digitise more than 500 historic railway documents and 1000 photographs that are on site.
- $2,687 – Rockhampton Museum of Art to produce and publish podcasts that will take audiences ‘behind the art’ through in-depth conversations with artists and professionals.
- $3,000 – Livingstone Shire Council to purchase additional equipment is need for the new Gallery to assist in installing and displaying exhibitions.
“With the Federal Coalition Government’s support, we are helping rebuild our local economy through the development of collections or exhibits, improved facilities for visitors, and the digitisation of local heritage collections for future generations to enjoy,” Ms Landry said.
“I encourage community-run arts, cultural and heritage organisations in Capricornia to apply for a CHART program grant today – this will assist us to continue offering appealing cultural tourism experiences in our regional communities.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said more than $135,000 in grants would flow to 50 organisations across the country to support activities that encourage cultural tourism in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“These grants will support the reactivation and ongoing sustainability of these successful applicants, with each playing an integral role in telling the stories of their local communities and preserving Australia’s cultural heritage,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This first batch of grants marks an important milestone in the benefits that CHART will provide to regional communities, including the promotion of regional arts tourism across Australia, which in turn will enhance arts access and increase local expenditure.”
The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) is delivering the program on behalf of the Government. Applications are open until 29 April 2022, or until allocated funding is expended.
