16 August 2018
The Turnbull Government has announced more than $15 million for 96 projects across Australia through the 2018-19 Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program funding round.
The funding is for projects celebrating Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultures and history through arts and language. Of the estimated 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, about 120 are still spoken, but most of these remain in danger of being lost.
Minister for the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield said this funding helps keep Indigenous languages alive and strengthens the Indigenous arts community.
“The Turnbull Government is committed to maintaining, reviving and promoting Indigenous culture. It’s fantastic to see how these projects celebrate Indigenous art and revive Indigenous languages in contemporary ways. New mediums such as digital tools will engage current and future generations in local Indigenous languages,” Minister Fifield said.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion, said he was pleased to see the diversity of projects which include theatre, visual arts, language workshops, film and digital resources delivered right across Australia through 88 organisations.
“The Government recognises that language and art ensure the wellbeing and identity of our First Australians and strengthen communities. These projects ensure Indigenous stories and histories continue to be maintained and shared,” Minister Scullion said.
Each year the Government provides funding through the ILA program to eligible organisations to deliver arts and language projects through an open grant round and direct offer grants.
The Government has committed an additional $10 million to support the revival and maintenance of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages from 2016 to 2020.
For more information about the ILA program and to view the full list of recipients visit: www.arts.gov.au/ILA