Full NAFA COVID Safe program now live
Date published: 8 September 2020
Lovers of the arts can now feast their eyes on the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) COVID Safe program in its entirety.
The program lists every arts and culture event taking place across the festival, including the brand-new Art in the Park, Beauty Rich and Rare, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and Connect.Create.Skate.
Townsville Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the program showed just how much was going to be packed into five weeks of entertainment.
“NAFA COVID Safe really does have something for everyone,” Cr Greaney said.
“This year’s program has a strong focus on the talent we have in our community and from across our beautiful sunshine state.”
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the exciting arts experience in the heart of Townsville will feature COVID-safe programming supported by the Palaszczuk Government.
“The month-long festival will activate the region, showcase unique Queensland stories and provide much-needed support for our incredible artists and arts workers,” Minister Enoch said.
“The Palaszczuk Government has invested $200,000 to support NAFA in 2019 and 2020, and since the onset of COVID-19 has committed more than $42.5 million worth of measures to revitalise the arts sector. This includes the $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package announced as part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.”
Cr Greaney said there was a great chance for budding street artists to get hands on with Connect.Create.Skate.
“Connect.Create.Skate. will transform the Riverway Skate Park with the help of three local street artists, Nicky Bidju Pryor, Jon Electros Avocado and Ian Kaddy,” she said.
“This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming street artists to help finish the painting while learning about spray and stencil techniques. I’m very excited to see the finished product.”
Cr Greaney said NAFA COVID Safe would spread into Townsville’s suburbs.
“We will have events across the city in Riverway Skate Park, out at our Animal Care and Adoption Centre at the Bohle, and at Oonoonba, Heatley and Riverside community centres and of course the CBD,” she said.
“This year we are introducing Art in the Park, which will include workshops, music, circus acts and roving entertainment at community centres across our suburbs. This will shine a real spotlight on our local talent and give attendees the chance to try their hand at a range of different types of art.
“We wanted to engage local artists to give them the space to do what they do best, and I’m very happy with the response we’ve had. It’s great that we’re also able to decentralise the festival and activate these much-loved community spaces.”
NAFA COVID Safe runs from 18 September to 25 October.
To check out the program and book tickets, head to the NAFA website.
