The iconic Broken Heel Festival has received a $60,420 leg-up from the Federal Government to host a number of workshops and performances during the three-day event in September.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the funding has been provided under Round 13 of the Festivals Australia program, which is supporting local artists and communities re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and providing a critical boost to the economy.
“I’m pleased to be able to support the popular Broken Heel Festival to make a spectacular return this year, after being cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic,” Mr Coulton said.
“The Broken Heel Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year for a three-day celebration of drag, disco and all things Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
“This funding will be used to host workshops with talented divas and local artists which will culminate in the free Main Street Parade on the Saturday of the festival in September.
“It’s exactly the type of project the Federal Government is proud to support, injecting some much-needed tourism dollars into the Broken Hill community while supporting local artists who have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.”
Broken Heel Festival Director Esther La Rovere said this funding will help stage the September festival – the second to be held this year, with last year’s event rescheduled for March 2022.
“We are thrilled to be a first-time recipient of a Festivals Australia grant for our September 2022 event,” Ms La Rovere said.
“The grant will help build our free all ages programme for our Broken Heel Festival Main Street Parade and will assist in the addition of head piece and dance workshops plus an Auslan interpreter and improve disability access to our event.”
The Festivals Australia program supports arts projects that invite community participation and audience engagement at festivals in regional and remote Australia.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said the program is helping to reunite regional and remote communities with arts and culture.
“Through this targeted funding, including the additional $2.4 million provided through the Regional Arts Tourism Experiences package, we are providing access to a diverse range of high quality, innovative arts projects that will help boost tourism across Australia’s regions,” Minister Fletcher said.
“We know that regional and remote artists, organisations and communities have been significantly affected by the pandemic, which is why this assistance is invaluable for the sector and is supporting a vibrant and sustainable future for festivals across Australia.”
Round 13 of the Festivals Australia program is supporting 71 projects, totalling $2.7 million.
The Morrison Government is investing more than $1 billion into the arts and creative sector in 2021-22.
