Page 3535 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 18 September 2019
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those conversations with Ronald McDonald House are still ongoing and that has not been finalised.
Mrs Dunne: Well, you don’t know whether those conversations are ongoing.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: If it has been finalised obviously I will come back with further information.
Government—spring events calendar
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events. Minister, with the start of spring and the festival season upon us, can you outline how the ACT government is committed to funding vibrant events for the community to enjoy?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. Indeed it is the start of spring, although with a flurry of snow. We are pleased to have not only the range of events that are happening at the moment but also a year-long calendar of signature government-run events and a vast array of community-run events funded through the ACT event fund.
Of course, most Canberrans would be familiar with our major spring and autumn festivals, Floriade and Enlighten. But they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a landscape of a vast number of government funded events celebrating arts and sport, promoting multiculturalism and diversity and showcasing local food, wine and beer.
The ACT government supports local and community events through the ACT event fund. That provides grants for non-government-run festivals and other events through a peer reviewed application process. In 2019, the event fund is supporting 22 events to the tune of nearly half a million dollars. This includes a mix of new as well as pre-existing festivals and events across a number of areas, including sport, entertainment, food and culture.
I can advise the Assembly that the 2020 ACT event fund applications are in and that there was, as always, very strong interest. The assessment phase for the 2020 round is now underway. We have also introduced sector development workshops to assist local event organisers with skills in running large events. These have been very well received. Building capacity in our events sector will continue to grow the scale, the number and the diversity of festivals and events for everyone in the Canberra community both to enjoy and to be a part of.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, can you please advise the Assembly of the many events that the ACT government provides for the enjoyment of our community?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the supplementary question. We know that events bring people together; create vibrancy; build community; attract tourists from both near and far; showcase local talent, products and organisations; celebrate culture and diversity; and generate significant economic benefit to the capital.
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