Parramatta’s arts sector has received a major boost in its recovery from COVID-19, with local company FORM Dance Projects receiving $278,000 in grant funding under the Morrison Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.
The new investment will enable FORM to produce Kairos, a new Australian dance production from celebrated director Meryl Tankard AO and award-winning composer Elena Kats-Chernin.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said demand for RISE funding had been significant.
“This latest funding will be allocated immediately to create more than 23,000 employment opportunities across the country,” Minister Fletcher said.
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the funding will provide critical support for local creatives and assist Australia’s economic recovery.
“Based at our very own Riverside Theatres, FORM is one of the most respected performing arts companies in Western Sydney in both the production and performance space,” Senator Payne said.
Annette McLernon, Executive Producer of FORM Dance Projects, welcomed the government’s investment.
“The new investment will enable FORM to commission andproduce Kairos, a new Australian dance production by celebrated director Meryl Tankard AO and award-winning composer Elena Kats-Chernin,” Ms McLernon said.
“After months in lockdown it is wonderful our Western Sydney small-medium arts organisation, based in Parramatta, can provide the opportunity to support these artists to continue doing what they do best, creating extraordinary Australian dance works.
“Thanks to RISE funding we are roaring back into the end of the year and 2022!”
For more information about FORM Dance Projects, visit https://www.form.org.au/.
To date, the Government has already allocated $160 million of the $200 million RISE Fund, creating more than 167,000 job opportunities and expanding cultural and creative experiences for audiences across Australia.