MEDIA RELEASE - COUNCIL FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING THE ARTS INDUSTRY
BRINGING VIBRANCY AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE REGION
Quorn is fast becoming the events capital of the Flinders Ranges as Council attracts funding to support the arts industry.
The Flinders Ranges Council has recently been successful in receiving funding for various performances that have taken place or will take place over the coming year or so. These events will ride on the coat tails of the highly successful Quandong Festival, held in August this year.
Council has been successful in gaining $5,000 funding from the Music Development Office See It LIVE Event Grant which will support local performances to take place in the new arts precinct during 2023, and $42,000 for Fringe in the Flinders, funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal in partnership with the Australian Government, to take place in early 2023.
Eric Brown, Chief Executive Officer said that these events will be a boost for the community businesses and for local tourism, “Council has been lucky to have secured the above funding to put a focus on the arts industry and to continue to build the regions reputation in this area. These events are great for the locals but also attract visitors from nearby townships which assists in promoting the region and boosting the economy.”
“Recently the Council hosted Mickster the Trickster, who performed two shows at the Quorn Agricultural Show which were well received by more than 80 children. He also visited Hawker and Quorn Area Schools and performed shows in each school, dazzling dozens of local kids with his magic antics. Funding for these performances was provided by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the response to the fun and high-energy magic shows was very positive.”
Funding secured through the See It LIVE Event Grant will enable Council to engage with local artists and performers over a 12-month period and have them do free performances in the Quorn Arts Precinct. “Council will look to engage with local and regional artists with a view to assisting them promote themselves as well as provide a more vibrant feel for the Quorn CBD. There are also opportunities to link these performers with other larger events such as Fringe in the Flinders.”
The Fringe in the Flinders event will work with the Adelaide Fringe and feature shows in both Quorn and Hawker. “Council has engaged a consultant to develop a program of performances that will bring the Fringe to the Flinders Ranges featuring high energy and well-known acts.”
Shows are planned to be held in late February 2023 in both Quorn and Hawker. “The timing is perfect as it will allow the newly developed Quorn Arts Precinct and Hawker’s Blue Burt Park to be showcased with outdoor performance planned, dependent on weather. Many regional areas miss out on attracting events such as these and we are very excited to be able to bring these types of opportunities to the Council area and to continue to support the arts industry.”
More information on Fringe in the Flinders and the live performances will be available at a later date and people are encouraged to keep an eye on Council’s Facebook page.