FEDERAL MP Warren Entsch has welcomed news that the Australian Government will provide more than $45,000 in funding to the National Portrait Gallery of Australia to bring its National Photographic Portrait Prize to regional cities including Cairns.
The exhibition will tour a number of galleries in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania throughout 2015 and 2016, and will visit the Cairns Regional Gallery from 11 September until 1 November next year.
Mr Entsch said the exhibition will promote the best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers.
“The Australian Government is committed to supporting high quality arts and cultural experiences for Australians in the regions no less than the cities,” said Mr Entsch.
“Here in Far North Queensland we don’t often get a chance to see the crème-de-le-crème of Australian artwork unless we travel long distances to visit the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, or the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
“It is tremendous recognition for Cairns to be chosen as one of just eight regional Australian cities to host this photographic portrait exhibition,” said Mr Entsch, “and demonstrates how we, as a major hub in Northern Australia, are known for our appreciation of quality art.”
From Cairns, the exhibition will visit the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, and the Rockhampton Art Gallery.
