FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the announcement of $2.3 million in funding will support some of Australia’s leading arts organisations to tour exhibitions and performances to regional audiences across Australia, including the New England Electorate.

The tours will be supported by the Australia Council for the Arts through the Playing Australia and Visions of Australia grants programs.

Mr Joyce said the Australian Government’s support of $330,877 to CDP Theatre Producers Pty Ltd would ensure a national tour of a new adaptation of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie to 38 venues across Australia would include Tamworth.

An additional grant of $291,000 to the Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People Ltd would tour The Peasant Prince to 38 venues across the country and including Tamworth as well.

“These stage performances will enrich our local arts sector and provide an exciting opportunity for audiences in the New England Electorate to experience high quality performances within our community,” Mr Joyce said.

The Minister for the Arts Senator George Brandis said that through the arts our national and local stories are shared and celebrated, and our communities strengthened and nurtured.

“The Australian Government is committed to advancing Australian arts and culture on a local level so that all Australians in regional areas have reasonable access to arts experiences in their own communities,” Senator Brandis said.

For more information on regional touring funding through the Australia Council for the Arts visit www.australiacouncil.gov.au. Applications for the next round of Visions of Australia and Playing Australia grants close on 2 June 2015.