Telling stories through puppetry will be a feature at the next two Woodford Folk Festivals, thanks to $100,000 in funding from the Palaszczuk Government through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP).

This project is among 15 other exciting festival activities, community workshops and public art works that are being funded in the latest round of a total $620,000 in funding through this ongoing grants program.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Woodfordia was being provided funding to help engage four internationally-acclaimed puppetry masters to deliver 68 activities for Queensland artists to create spectacular large-scale puppets at this year’s, and next year’s, festivals.

“The Queensland artists will then be able to use their newfound specialist skills to bring stories to life at the next two festivals’ Fire Events, where more than 40,000 people will experience their magic,” Ms Enoch said.

“This project will help support tourism outcomes for the festival, which continues to go from strength to strength every year.”

Woodfordia Inc General Manager Amanda Jackes said the funding would enhance the festival’s legacy of providing spectacular, quality arts and cultural experiences through visual storytelling.

“This funding gives us the opportunity to embark on an ambitious project following the entire life of a character, told through several giant puppets,” Ms Jackes said.

“We can push the boundaries of large scale puppetry and explore storytelling on a large scale.

“The Fire Event is powered by a unique melting pot of people from all walks of life, learning and sharing skills. Working with renowned international artists will inject new concepts, skills and techniques into the local team and community that are a part of creating this event and further the puppetry art form nationally.”

Ms Enoch said this support for Woodford comes on top of the Palaszczuk Government’s reclassification of land to ensure the Woodford Folk Festival can continue at its existing location.

“This week we passed a motion at Queensland Parliament to reclassify about 45 hectares of land to give Woodfordia Inc long-term certainty while also ensuring the natural environment continues to be protected.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government continues supports Queenslanders who work in the arts and cultural sector.

“Funding through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program not only supports the development and growth of the arts and cultural sector in Queensland, it encourages engagement in the arts through creative, diverse and original experiences in communities across the state,” Ms Enoch said.

“Since 2015 the Palaszczuk Government has invested more than $12.94 million to support over 380 arts and cultural projects across the state through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program.”

QASP applications are accepted at any time. For more information about QASP, visit www.arts.qld.gov.au