The Australian Federal Government has announced a nearly $3 million dollar investment into the performing arts, taking the form of grants aimed at supporting companies to tour performances nationally so that the industry is primed and ready for when live performances can resume.

Playing Australia

Dead Puppets Society’s The Wider Earth. Photo © Jamie Williams.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and Arts, Paul Fletcher, announced the grants as part of the Playing Australia program with the Australia Council, helping more Australians access performances, especially in rural and remote communities.

“These grants deliver on our commitment to make arts and culture accessible to all Australians. Touring by our performing arts companies contributes to the vibrancy of communities across the country as well as generating economic activity in regional centres and towns,” Fletcher said. “As the vaccine rollout continues at a strong pace, it’s important that our arts touring sector is primed to restart when permitted to do so.”

The latest investment through Playing Australia will support 13 different projects to be toured in 2022.

“The Federal Government’s additional investment of $5 million over two years towards Playing Australia has allowed us to support an...