Today George Brandis  and Ewen Jones  said “we are delighted to announce a grant of $80,000 to the Australian Festival of Chamber Music to support three community-based arts projects in 2015.

The Minister for the Arts, Sen the Hon George Brandis said that this investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to making the arts accessible to all Australians and to maintaining the excellent standard of classical music in Australia.

“This year the Australian Festival of Chamber Music will mark the 25th anniversary of its annual event that sees classical music lovers from around Australia and overseas converge on Townsville, in our home state of Queensland,” said Senator Brandis.

“The Australian Government recognises the importance of festivals like the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in bringing high quality performances to regional audiences and providing ongoing benefits to regional communities.”

Ewen Jones, the Member for Herbert said the three projects funded by the grant include a family concert where local children will perform alongside festival artists in a fully-staged opera performance; a free outdoor community concert showcasing local musicians alongside visiting artists; and a free chamber music concert at an aged care facility by advanced festival winter school students.

“These events will help to continue to bring musical excellence to Townsville and provide an opportunity for local musicians to interact with prominent national and international artists,” Mr Jones said.

“25 years of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music is a significant achievement and confirms Townsville has a unique place in Australia as an Arts hub.”

This grant is in addition to Australian Government funding of $100,000 for the festival in 2014 which included support for a new composition by Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin to be performed at this year’s festival.