Council supports young performing artists

THE talents of two young Ipswich residents will be supported by Ipswich City Council through a special bursary.

Youth and Seniors Committee Chairperson Councillor Sheila Ireland said council would provide Young Performing Artists Bursaries to Siobhan Kissel and Guy Knopke.

Cr Ireland said Siobhan would receive $300 from council towards the cost of attending the Harvest Rain Theatre Company Summer School held this month.

"Siobhan is an accomplished and experienced actor, singer and dancer and has performed in a number of musicals playing a lead part or in the chorus."

Cr Ireland said council was pleased to also be able to support Guy with a contribution of $300 towards the cost of attending the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble Camp in Brisbane in March this year.

"Guy is an accomplished trumpet player who has attended council's Master Classes program."

Cr Ireland said  council was pleased to have been able to lend its support to Siobhan and Guy in this way.

She said the Young Performing Artist Bursary was established in 1994 and offered young regional performing artists the chance to further develop their skills by providing financial assistance to attend workshops and/or be involved in performances and competitions outside of the region.

"We recognise that young artists in a range of fields often need to travel outside of Ipswich to further develop their skills and we are happy, if they meet certain criteria, to assist them in their endeavours.

"Council also provides a range of programs, activities and grants specifically for the performing arts in Ipswich including theatre, dance, voice and instrument.

"We are happy to invest in the cultural development of Ipswich's performing arts youth as the community benefits from the new found knowledge and experiences that they are able to share with others upon their return home."

For more information on the grants program contact council's Cultural Development Officer on
3810 6652.