Regional Arts Australia has announced more than $1.08 million in funding for the latest round of the Regional Arts Fund.

In one of the Fund’s “strongest rounds yet”, according to Executive Director Ros Abercrombie, 47 creative projects will be supported, projected to reach an audience of more than 850,000 and offer more than 600 opportunities for employment.

The Bowerbird Collective’s Kaurna Yarta – The Seasons. Photo courtesy of The Bowerbird Collective

With the support of $25,000 chamber ensemble The Bowerbird Collective will tour Kaurna Yarta – The Seasons across South Australia in a series of free, outdoor performances from 31 July – 2 August. The 80-minute cinematic concert features 24 new works from Australian composer David John Lang, informed by two years of knowledge sharing with Kaurna elders.

Led by SA-based composer Jodie O’Regan, the Burra Orchestra Project ($29,102) invites residents of the town of Burra to contribute sounds and stories and handmade instruments to a new composition.

Also in South Australia, the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Media Kungka Tjuta Music Project ($26,220) will support a six-week program of residencies across six communities in the APY Lands, supporting Aṉangu women in developing and sharing music skills, and Yankalilla Youth Theatre ($30,000) will develop a new musical exploring the impacts of of algae bloom.

In Victoria, musician Archer undertakes a two-year, community led touring and workshop project with brass bands from Melbourne and regional Victoria ($30,000), while inclusive arts companies  (it’s no) drama ($30,000) and CreateA ($24,00) wll develop two independent new theatre works featuring performers who live with disabilities.

In the Northern Territory, GUTS Dance Central Australia have been awarded $29,507 to premiere a brand new program at the Araluen Arts Centre. Desert Hothouse will present three full-length works from choreographers Katina Olsen, Madeleine Krenek and Frankie Snowdon, to be staged in the venue’s gallery, theatre and carpark. Theatre Makers will present a new Alice Springs-based independent theatre program featuring three new works from local creatives Jasmine Story, Jesse Kallic and Jacqueline Marriott ($30,000); Marriott has also recieved funding ($20,658) to develop a new, movement-led solo theatre work.

Queensland’s From the Bush to the Big Stage ($30,00o) provides 100 rural and remote students the opportunity to perform at QPAC.

Aiming to address gender inequality in screen composition, the Rockhampton Symphony Orchestra’s Uprise for Screen project ($22,700) features a cinematic concert in Central Queensland with music from emerging Brisbane-based composer Aubrielle.

In Western Australia, the Conducting Mentoring Program ($5,800) will be led by Albury-based conductor Neville Mount, offering asprining conductors from the Great Southern Region an opportunity for skill development in a variety of genres to strengthen “regional music leadership and capacity”.

The full list of funding recipients can be found here.