The 2007-08 State Budget, brought down on June 5, was a watershed for the visual arts, craft and design sectors with the Government committing $1 million to plan a major international design centre. Read full story >

With the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) around the corner, the program is shaping up to be a true celebration of all things cinematic. Read full story >

Licensing deals, movie placements for songs and interest from major labels are some of the successful outcomes for the Queensland musicians and representatives who attended the recent Musexpo conference in Los Angeles. Read full story >

State and Federal Governments have provided $600 000 for a new cultural centre in Hope Vale that will breathe new energy into the area's arts and cultural life. Read full story >

Forty events will take place in 20 Queensland communities over 17 days with more than 1000 local, national and international performers as part of the 2007 Queensland Music Festival which takes place from July 13 to 29 across the State. Read full story >

A play tracing the life of Oodgeroo Noonuccal and marking the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum on Indigenous rights will be staged in Brisbane in 2009. Read full story >

The big news for the State's design sector is the Beattie Government's announcement in the 2007-08 budget of $1 million for the planning of an international centre for sustainable design to be built in Brisbane. Read full story >

Six Queenslanders were recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours for their contribution to the arts. Read full story >

Queensland's reputation as a national leader in public art is to enter a new phase with the setting up of a new $12 million public art fund. Read full story >

Performer and composer William Barton was named as one of four finalists for the 2007 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year Awards. Read full story >

International production in Queensland continues with the multi-million dollar Nim's Island set to begin filming in July. Read full story >

Arts Minister Rod Welford has announced the nine artists short-listed for the second national Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award. Read full story >

Circa, with an international reputation as one of Australia's most exciting circus companies, is set to perform the world premiere of the company's latest work, by the light of stars that are no longer at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts from July 3. Read full story >

The city of Logan has its own version of the globe - built from 200 metal ballot boxes. The globe was created by local artist Barry Fitzpatrick and it is Logan's largest piece of pubic art. Read full story >

Arts Minister Rod Welford opened the Between the Flags: 100 years of Surf Lifesaving exhibition at Queensland Museum South Bank recently, revealing a personal link with the show. Read full story >

Old Ways, New Ways: The Human Story at the Queensland Museum South Bank explores the events leading up to and following the historical 1967 Referendum. Read full story >

Renewed interest in animals found in backyards, parks, reserves and school grounds has sparked the return of hands-on Wildlife Workshops to Queensland Museum South Bank. Read full story >

Students at the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA) in Brisbane have drawn on their own stories and those of Elders to inform their graduate performance piece, Reflections - Referendum 40 years and to the Future. Read full story >

Nine artists and designers have been shortlisted to develop concept design proposals for artwork at the new Ipswich courthouse. These include Gwyn Hanssen Piggott, Laurie Nilsen, Samuel Tupou, Alexander Lotersztain, Bruce Reynolds, Lincoln Austin, Kenji Uranishi and Madonna Staunton (in collaboration with Michael Littler). Read full story >

Queensland Theatre Company is presenting special captioned performances of The Glass Menagerie, Heroes and the Premier's Drama Award winner The Estimator. Read full story >

Following a successful Brisbane season in December 2006, Romeo & Juliet is coming to Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. Read full story >

Queensland's talented singer songwriters will have a chance to shine with the launch of fRETfEST 2007. Read full story >

Christian Flynn's work at Metro Arts Galleries puts arts and consumer culture under the microscope. Read full story >

Local dance collective Phluxus production, the machine that carries the soul, will feature at The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Art June 26-28. Read full story >

Three Queensland artists will hone their skills with support from an Arts Queensland Creative Fellowship of $40,000. Read full story >

Jewellery artist Madeleine Brown attributes some of her success to an Arts Queensland grant she received early in her career. Read full story >

The Queensland Academy for Creative Industries is now recruiting students for Year 10 in 2008 and welcomes prospective students and parents to an information session on 17 July. Read full story >

Funding is available for arts projects or for adding an exciting element to a regional or community festival through Festivals Australia and Festivals Australia Regional Residencies. Read full story >

Queensland Arts Council is hosting a series of free regional forums throughout Queensland. Read full story >

Sunday Arts is ABC TV's flagship Arts program broadcast nationally every Sunday at 5pm. For more information go to www.abc.net.au/tv/sundayarts. Read full story >

Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) will be at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre giving specialist courses in performance and design June 25 to July 1. Read full story >

Asialink Arts has been working since 1990 to promote cultural understanding, information exchange and artistic endeavour between Australia and Asian countries. Read full story >

http://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/office/knowledge/ docs/charter/charter2004/pdf/govt-outcomes -priorities-for-qld-2004.pdf
When requesting funding from the Queensland Government, a useful tool is the Government Outcomes and Priorities for Queensland. Read full story >

www.sd.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/htdocs/slol/
A free online search for what regulations or licensing applies to a business is available on the Department of State Development website. Read full story >

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Hansard/ view/legislativeAssembly/legislativeAssembly.asp ?area=hansard&LIndex=3&SubArea=hansard
Hansard is the official record of proceedings in Parliament. The Queensland (from 1990) and Australian (from 1981) records are on a website. Read full story >

www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/stay_connected/ volunteering/qldpolicy.html
The Queensland Government has announced a new policy on volunteering Valuing Volunteers: The Queensland Government Policy on Volunteering 2007-2010. Read full story >

www.ozco.gov.au/grants/grants_music/skills _and_arts_development_2007
The Music Board of the Australia Council is offering funding for projects that engage school students with professional musicians in their community. Read full story >

www.signaturebrisbane.com.au
Signature Brisbane is an initiative of City of Brisbane Arts and Environment Ltd to initiate and foster cultural and environmental signature concepts and projects unique to Greater Brisbane. Read full story >

info@multicultural.qld.gov.au
Queensland residents and community groups are able to apply for a slice of the State Government's $730 000 Multicultural Assistance Program grants. Read full story >

Arts Update is offering five readers the opportunity to win tickets to Circa's performance of by the light of stars that are no longer on Tuesday July 3 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. Read full story >

We welcome feedback and contributions to Arts Update. Please contact the editor, Julie Geiser on (07) 3224 5807 or email artsupdate@arts.qld.gov.au