The latest round of Community Benefits Fund (CBF) grants sees one of the nation’s best displays of Indigenous art - and a huge drawcard to Darwin, luring visitors and creating jobs - given $240,000 over three years.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will use the money to bring a vast collection of works and the artists to the event that is proving a significant attraction for tourists.
There are twenty-six grants totalling around $3 million in the May round of the Community Benefits Fund including 8 Major Community Event Program Grants:
$230,000 over three years for the Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land
$50,000 for the Freedom Day Festival in Kalkarindji in 2019
$30,000 for Central Australian Drag Racing in Alice Springs in 2019
This Round of the Major Community Organisation Grants will see 18 local community organisations receive up to $1.84 million in grant funding including:
$90,000 to Malak Family Centre Incorporated to improve day care facilities,
$69,018 to Alice Springs Aero Club Incorporated to install solar power,
$50,000 to the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation to preserve and share Indigenous children’s songs.
The Machado-Joseph Disease Foundation has been given $100,000 under the Major Community Grant for infrastructure improvements to increase support for people with the disease and has also been gifted a vehicle for better access to transport on Elcho Island.
To apply for a Community Benefit Fund Grant in your chosen category, visit https://nt.gov.au/community/community-grants-and-volunteers
Quotes from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Natasha Fyles:
“The Territory Labor Government’s top priority is creating jobs and activating the CBD. It’s wonderful to see the Community Benefit fund grants contributing to Job-Creating and Tourist-attracting festivals like this.”
“These grants are funding tourist-attracting festivals across the Northern Territory that put valuable dollars into our economy. It’s delivering upgrades to infrastructure that benefits the community, supports youth programs and helps provide education opportunities for Indigenous communities.”
Quotes from the Executive Director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Claire Summers:
“The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is the only national event of its kind and has secured a reputation as the country's’ most significant and internationally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts event.”
“DAAF provides the opportunity for unique cross-cultural exchange between visitors and Australian First Nations artists - a truly genuine, immersive cultural experience.”
Quotes from the Chief Executive Officer of the MJD Foundation, Nadia Lindop:
“The MJD Foundation is aiming to expand our “Staying Stronger for longer program” enabling increased access to therapeutic and respite supports for people living with MJD.”
“This grant will help towards several projects including the introduction of an MJD Respite House in Darwin enabling families to be fully supported and provide carers with a break from 24 hour care.”
Media contact: Rob Cross 0439 778 095