Almost $2.8 million was invested in projects across the Sunshine Coast region last year with funds gathered through the council’s Arts and Heritage levy.
Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag said strong audience numbers, business development, sector growth and First Nations collaborations were some of the 2023-24 highlights, outlined in the Arts and Heritage Levy Annual Report tabled at the most recent Council meeting.
The report showed the region’s Arts Program was bolstered by $612,572, through a $4 per rateable property levy, and provided:
- $55,000 to creative business development.
- $100,468 to First Nations creative arts programs.
- $60,000 local artist commissioning.
- $135,000 to support a competitive Creative Industries Investment Program.
- $53,023 to deliver artist-in-residence programs for local artists.
- $70,000 to support the development of a culture of arts philanthropy in the region.
- $93,700 to implement ArtsCoast marketing and audience development.
- $20,820 development of a regional Public Art Strategy.
- $24,561 to Arts Levy Futures Fund.
It showed the Heritage Program, received with $2,162,401, made up of $2,155,550 from a $14 levy, plus revenue from sales and donations.
Some of the projects provided funds included:
- $20,000 for the Historian in Residence program, with two research topics: “Sunshine Coast Cemeteries: A Visitor’s Guide”; and “Documenting the Lives of the People who lived at Bankfoot House over 130 years”.
- $113,385 for cataloguing, digitisation, and database development associated with our significant regional collections, to enhance online accessibility and research potential.
- $239,150 for the conservation of the region’s heritage assets including state heritage-listed Landsborough Shire Council Chambers (Landsborough Museum), with its collection of over 14,000 objects; and state heritage-listed Bankfoot House, with its nationally significant collection of over 6000 objects.
- $115,988 to support the region’s community museums and historical societies through practical workshops, professional development initiatives, expert advice, collaborative marketing and events, and progressing the Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy.
- $163,412 provided through grants programs, to support community museums, historical societies, and First Nations groups, including support for cultural heritage projects developed in collaboration with Descendants of Australian South Sea Islander peoples.
- $102,774 for regional heritage programs and events such as the First Nations Family Fun Day and Landsborough Museum Street Festival, and partnership events including Sunshine Coast Open House and the Horizon Festival.
- $100,654 for engaging our community with the region’s heritage through digital stories, heritage trails, and online content.
“Programs funded by the Levy help to preserve, develop and support arts and cultural heritage across the region,” Cr Bunnag said.
Download the full report: Arts and Heritage Levy Annual Report 2023-2024
