The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship
Minister for the Arts
THAILAND RECOGNISED BY AUSTRALIAN ARTS IN ASIA AWARDS CEREMONY
1 August 2013
An Australian dance group that toured Thailand has taken out one of the new Australian Arts in Asia Awards announced by Arts Minister Tony Burke in Sydney tonight.
Minister Burke presented the Dance award to the Bangarra Dance Theatre for their Spirit project which toured Mongolia, Vietnam and Thailand over 2012-13.
“These awards were created to recognise, celebrate and promote the Australian artists contributing to stronger, deeper and broader cultural links with Asian nations through work in their countries,” Minister Burke said.
“Our relationship with Thailand is significant, and the contribution of Australian artists is demonstrated by the 3 nominations we received from artists engaging with Thailand.
“Tonight we are celebrating this group taking out the Dance award, with the remaining 13 awards shared between Australian artists and arts organisations working in China, India, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Mongolia.
“I congratulate these artists on their creativity and dedication, and thank them for their contribution to our relationship with Thailand through their strong collaborative partnerships with arts organisations in Thailand.”
Bangarra Dance Theatre is Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts organisation that contributes to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and tells their stories through innovative world-class dance theatre.
Bangarra conducted workshops in Bangkok, Thailand, courtesy of the Australian Embassy, demonstrating the connections between contemporary and ancient cultures through the universal languages of dance and music.
The Awards were created to help promote the Australian Government’s commitment in the national cultural policy Creative Australia to the increasing engagement of artists and arts organisations in cultural exchanges building collaborative partnerships with their international counterparts.