10 Jul 2017
Chansey Paech, Member for Namatjra
An exciting initiative that will help invigorate the Alice Springs CBD, providing a significant boost to Central Australian tourism and jobs was launched today by the Territory Labor Government.
It follows the NT Government’s announcement earlier this year that it will inject $20 million into revitalising the Alice Springs CBD.
Assistant Minister for the Iconic National Indigenous Art Gallery, Chansey Paech, announced the new Live Alice Mparntwe Arts program, encouraging Central Australian artists and groups to activate the CBD with arts and cultural activities.
“The Territory Labor Government is serious about investing in Alice Springs and is focused on creating jobs and boosting tourism opportunities for the region,” Mr Paech said.
“Live Alice Mparntwe is about activating the Mall and surrounding areas of the CBD, as well as vacant shop spaces, with arts and cultural activities that will showcase our stories and attract more visitors to our great town.
“The grants of up to $50 000 are available for art and creative proposals that enliven and invigorate the CBD.
“Central Australia is renowned for its strength of creative and cultural activities. It will be fantastic to see public spaces come alive with our incredible local artists.”
The Department of Tourism and Culture is also seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for Producer(s) and Production support to deliver the Program with Arts NT. These specialists will assist curate, develop and produce the program of events for the Alice Springs CBD.
“The name of the program, Live Alice Mparntwe Arts, incorporates the Arrernte name for Alice Springs,” Mr Paech said.
“I am proud that the Territory Labor Government has worked with Traditional Owners to incorporate Mparntwe into the program and acknowledge the Arrernte language.
“Activating the Mall and surrounding areas with arts and creative activities will help to catalyse community renewal and vitality.
“I look forward to the local community enjoying and engaging with the Live Alice Mparntwe Arts program. I encourage art organisations, groups, individual artists and creative producers to get an application in as soon as possible.”
Funding is offered for one-off projects or regular programming that will:
raise the profile of the Alice Springs CBD through arts and cultural activities;
enhance the Alice Springs CBD for visitors and locals;
showcase and celebrate Alice Spring’s CBD, the diversity of our community and our artistic talent;
build partnerships between retailers, community groups, the arts and cultural sector, events and festivals and the community to enliven the CBD: and
focus on the Todd Mall and surrounding areas in the CBD.
The expression of interest for the Live Alice Mparntwe Arts grant program will open from 10 July 2017 and closes at 5pm, Monday 7 August 2017.
The first round of the Live Alice Mparntwe Arts program will deliver arts and creative activities in the Alice Springs CBD from October 2017 to December 2017.
Expressions of interest are also open for Producer (s) and Production support to assist Arts NT with the Live Alice Mparntwe Arts Program
An information session will be held in Alice Springs:
Monday 17 July
10am and 5:30pm
Arts NT, the Old Courthouse, 27 Hartley St, Alice Springs
RSVP live.alice@nt.gov.au
For further information email live.alice@nt.gov.au or call 1800 678 237.
Find out more at www.nt.gov.au/livealice
Media Contact: Clancy Wright 0428 458 466