PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: P. M. No 72/ 1970
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS.: FURTHER. GRANTS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Approval has been given for the final series of grants recommended by the
Australian Council for the Arts from its budget for 1969/ 70. The grants, which tptal
$ 319, 523, will assist a wide variety of special theatre projects, music activities,
festival productions, Aboriginal arts programmes, and film-and film-making ventures.
From the Special Projects Fund further assistance for experimental
theatre productions has been provided. A special season of new Australian plays, a
multi-media artists' workshop, and an actors' workshop will also receive support.
Many grants provide the services of professional directors, technicians, tutors,
actors and adjudicators for amateur and professional activities, while support will be
given for special school. performances and demonstrations by the Australian Opera
in raost capital cities.
Within the Aboriginal arts programme sums of 000 and 00
respectively will train an Aboriginal art conservationist and provide advice on
developing and maintaining authenticity and high standards 0g work among Aboriginal
artists. Other grants will assist Aboriginal performances and displays of traditional
work. Among music grants, 620 to the International Society of Contemporary
Music will assist an extensive concert programme of conternoorary music, including
many new Australian works. Other grants assist special concerts including a performance
by the Australian Youth Orchestra prior to its appearantce at Expo ' 70. Several
grants will assist summer music schools and workshops in country centres including
a school for band leaders. A grant of 055 will enable the A: dela ide Woodwind
Quintet ' which recently returned from a highly successfCul international tour) to perform
in North Queensland and the Northern Territory; 530 to Opera-in-a-Nutshell
S. will bring high quality performances to the country and to schools. A
further music grant of 003 will provide orchestral services for the Western
Australian Opera Company.
Among recommended grants for festival activities, 000 will provide
theatre and music programmes within the Waratah Festival i: New South Wales, and
000 will assist a youth festival at Williamstown, Victoria.
Many loans and grants totalling approximately $ 100, 000 have been
approved to Australian film makers for experimental workc in f1ilm and television.
Other grants will provide financial suppoort for Australian film festivals and to assist
the use of Australian films in these festivals. A grant is give-I-to the Australian
Film Institute for the establishment of a distribution and exhibition service for films
and television programmes made with help from the Experime-ntal Film and
Television Fund. $ 10, 000 has been allocated for an educational programme among
children and young people to develop the understanding and critical appreciation of
film and television. I am pleased at the breadth and variety of these projects and hope that
they will provide opportunities for Australian creative artists and enrich the
experience and enjoyment of Australian audiences.
CA NBERRA
S July !-970