Fairfax Youth Initiative will share in $251,114 under the seventh batch of grants from the Morrison/Joyce Government’s $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund, which has created more than 200,000 jobs across Australia since 2020.

Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster said the funding will provide critical support for local arts organisation, and assist local communities and economies to restart from the pandemic.

“The purpose of RISE is to back the arts and entertainment sector to recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19 shutdowns. We want to see venue doors thrown open to audiences and curtains going up. We want to see performers coming on stage to a welcoming roar of applause,” Dr Webster said.

“I am pleased to announce that Fairfax Youth Initiative has received $251,114 for Fairfax Youth Festival through Batch Seven of the RISE Fund.

“The Fairfax Youth Initiative has engaged young people in the Murray-Mallee region for 24 years. This project will create an inspiring and engaging festival for young people, while giving them the opportunity to work alongside professional artists.”

Chairman of Fairfax Youth Initiative Steering Committee, Bryce Ives said over the past two years, Fairfax has maintained connection online, but it’s time for to deliver a youth arts festival that inspires and unites the region.

“We will work with 120+ young people, including with the Swan Hill Rural City Council, local schools, and professional artists, to create a visionary, youthful, and invigorating festival,” Mr Ives said.

“Fairfax engages young people from across the region, in schools and communities in Swan Hill, Mildura, Red Cliffs, Sea Lake, Manangatang, Robinvale, Nyah, Kerang, Wycheproof, Cunninyeuk, Labert, Toolebuc. Our aspiration is to engage young people across the entire Murray Mallee region.

“This is an opportunity that young people in the region have been asking for, and an opportunity they deserve.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said the latest round of $20 million will begin to flow immediately to 91 organisations across Australia
to support a resilient creative and cultural sector.

“Today’s announcement takes to $200 million the funding that has been committed under RISE. It has gone to 541 projects, creating more than 213,000 jobs across Australia, to be seen by a total audience of 55 million people,” Minister Fletcher said.

“This unprecedented injection of arts stimulus funding is producing an extraordinary cultural and creative dividend; with a two-year pipeline of supported events rolling out across Australia.”

The full list of Batch Seven RISE recipients can be found at: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update