16 July, 2015
Council Funding to Help Inject Millions into SA’s Economy
City of Adelaide has endorsed a range of grants and sponsorship funding over the next year helping to bring in over $240 million dollars to SA’s economy and an estimated 3.9 million visitors to the city.
The grants and sponsorships support a diverse range of arts, cultural events, festivals, sports and recreation and community development programs.
Lord Mayor Martin Haese said that Council’s funding enabled a range of programs and events to take place, which provide great benefit to the community.
“These wonderful initiatives provide an economic boost, encourage more visitors to our city and enhance Adelaide’s reputation as a social, cultural and sporting hub.
“This is a great way for Council to directly support important community-led endeavours.”
A number of events including Adelaide Fringe, SALA Festival and SANTOS Tour Down Under continue into their third year of triennial partnerships with Council.
This year sponsorship and grant funding falls under three main categories: arts and cultural grants, sponsorship of events / festivals and recreation and sports grants.
1. Arts and Cultural Grants
The 2015/16 Arts and Cultural Grants Program aims to assist artistic development, public art and community programs and events that make a positive and creative contribution to the city.
Recipients of round 1 include the Migrant Resource Centre’s refugee arts and community development program, Illuminart’s interactive light show about life on the streets of Adelaide in World War One and the Adelaide Kids Film Festival.
Artransmatrix, an agency for freelance art and design offering a wide range of art-related services, will receive a $9,000 in funding and Director, Joe
Felber said the money will go towards their If it’s not one thing it’s another – contingent contacts program.
“Our latest project is an interdisciplinary mentorship program for eight visual and performing artists that will provide extensive mentorship resulting in a collaborative, interdisciplinary exhibition and performance outcome to be showcased at the Lion Arts Centre,” Joe said.
“Council’s funding will help to provide participants with valuable insight into the arts profession and aid in the transition from student to professional practicing artist.”
Over $70,000 has been granted to a range of community programs and events that offer a range of free activities for the public, demonstrate environmental sustainability, activate underutilised spaces for creative or social exchange and are accessible for people of all abilities.
These programs include Oz Harvest’s Think.Eat.Save Adelaide program, the Spastic Centres of South Australia’s Kick It and Radio Adelaide’s Wide Open Road event.
2. Recreation and Sports Grants
Grants for recreation and sports, spread across a three year agreement, were given to programs who among other criteria encouraged and increased people’s participation rates in physical activity, utilised public spaces, promoted emerging or minority sports and contributed to the overall vibrancy of the city.
The grants, included $32,000 to Life Be in it Come ‘n’ Try program, a series of sports sessions in the school holidays aimed at giving children the opportunity to try a range of different sports.
The Women’s Recreational Running Network (WRRN) also received $30,000 to create a series of ongoing free / low cost weekly running groups starting from Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli and Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi.
Chris Taylor who coordinates the WRRN from Running Domain on behalf of Athletics SA said since February this year more than 400 women have registered to be a part of the program, making the program a vital part of the community.
“The sponsorship will ensure the WRRN continues to foster fitness and health in the city and inspire women to reach their physical activity goals in a safe and supportive environment.”
3. Event Sponsorship
Council has committed over $1.5 million to a range of event sponsorships that also address social, inclusive, environmental and economic benefits for the city.
Recipients include Adelaide Film Festival, Adelaide 500, Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and Vale Brewing CheeseFest in Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka.
“These events provide an economic benefit through increased revenue and visitors to the city while continuing to strengthen Adelaide’s reputation as a vibrant, fun and inclusive place for all people,” Martin said.
Adelaide 500 Chief Executive Mark Warren said it was fantastic to have the support of the city when hosting the internationally acclaimed motorsport event.
“Our ongoing partnership with Council and the funding they contribute helps to drive innovation and showcase the city of Adelaide on the world stage,” Mark said.
Event -sponsorship will also be provided to four events that celebrate Adelaide’s culturally diverse population including WOMAdelaide, Feast Festival, Glendi Greek Festival and the Lunar New Year Street Party.