Page 4236 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 21 September 2011

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community. The ACT government is very happy to see the progress being made by Paperworks, which was made possible by funding provided through Disability ACT.

In addition to the Belconnen Arts Centre, the ACT government has invested in many important infrastructure projects in the ACT.

This weekend the Minister for the Arts will open five new studios and an artist’s residence at the Watson Arts Centre. Watson Arts Centre, which is managed by the Canberra Potters Society, is an excellent example of an ACT arts facility which is strongly supported by the Canberra community. This exciting refurbishment will provide additional working spaces and professional development opportunities for artists and a renewed place for Canberrans to engage with the arts. The ACT government is pleased to have funded the construction of these new facilities. The total investment by the territory in this capital project has been just over $1 million.

The studios will allow Canberra artists to bring sustained focus to their own professional practice. The residency will give an individual time out from the pressures of routine to develop new work, to open themselves to new opportunities for innovation and excellence. This new artist’s residence is part of the government’s commitment to the support of residency programs within the ACT. This program will allow for important creative dialogues, cross-fertilisation and knowledge sharing between Canberra artists and those further afield.

Whilst the Watson Arts Centre supports one of the oldest forms of artistic expression, Canberra is also developing a strong profile in one of the newest sectors, film and screen. Canberra’s local filmmakers can apply for production funding from the $1.8 million ACT screen investment fund. Now in its second year, the screen investment fund supports the growth and sustainability of the Canberra screen industry. Funds are used to co-invest in high-potential film, television and digital media projects that will be made in Canberra.

At the other end of the spectrum, local film enthusiasts continue to have a chance to try their hand at filmmaking through the Lights! Canberra! Action! film-making festival. This annual film festival offers local movie makers the opportunity to produce completely Canberra-centric short films. Filmmakers are given a list of 10 items to include in their movie, with only 10 days to shoot, edit and produce a seven-minute film.

The ACT government is committed to strong participation and engagement in the arts. Today, when communities around the world are experiencing significant new challenges, the ACT government re-emphasises the importance of enabling the community to fully experience art in their lives.

MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (5.31), by leave: I move:

(1) Insert new subparagraphs (1)(e) to (g):

“(e) the Government mismanagement of the consultation process regarding the Fitters Workshop;


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