CAIRNS People living with dementia will now have the opportunity to enjoy their creative side.
Minister for the Arts Mitch Fifield and Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch have announced funding for KickArts Contemporary Arts through the Regional Arts Fund.
“I am pleased to announce that KickArts has received $26,720 through the March grant round of the Regional Arts Fund,” Warren Entsch said.
“The funding will help KickArts to implement an art and dementia program at their local premises.
The project will target people living with dementia in Cairns aged care facilities and work to support their social inclusion and community participation through specifically designed gallery tours, “said Mr Entsch.
KickArts Director Justin Bishop said the Regional Arts Fund was a regional outreach of the successful National Gallery of Australia program.
“This evidenced based arts and culture engagement program will see positive outcomes for our region – improving the physical and mental health of our elders and those living with dementia,” said Mr Bishop.
Minister Fifield said the Coalition Government has announced more than $850,000 through the March round of grants in the Regional Arts Fund March to support 53 regional arts and cultural projects across Australia.
“The Coalition Government is committed to supporting arts and culture in regional and remote areas,” Mr Fifield said.
“Programs like the Regional Arts Fund increase access to cultural experiences outside our urban centres and enable people to build professional skills and networks where they live.
“The Regional Arts Fund also helps boost the profile of regional and remote artists and fosters new opportunities for individuals and organisations,” Minister Fifield said.
The Government provides approximately $3.4 million each financial year to support arts and cultural projects in regional and remote Australia through the Regional Arts Fund.
For more information about the program and to view the full list of funding recipients visits: www.arts.gov.au/raf
