A NEW interpretative arts centre in West Arnhem Land will help create more jobs for local artists and ensure more tourists can enjoy unique, high quality Aboriginal arts and craft.
Visiting Gunbalanya to open the new visitor interpretative centre at the Injalak Arts Centre, Chief Minister Adam Giles said he was delighted to support the project with $100,000 funding from the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments.
Mr Giles said the Injalak Arts Centre was located on the doorstep of Kakadu National Park and was a significant tourism drawcard for the West Arnhem Land region, attracting around 8000 people a year.
“Injalak Arts is an ideal stop over for tourists looking for an authentic art and cultural experience, and it has strong appeal to international tourists and domestic grey nomads,” Mr Giles said.
“The $100,000 funding has allowed the centre to refurbish the old screen print workshop and create a range of new facilities, including audio-visual screens, interpretative boards, signage, pathways, external shade areas and areas for lectures and workshops,” he said.
“The new visitor interpretative centre will provide a state-of-the-art home for Injalak Art Centre’s extensive collection of Indigenous printing, weaving and bark painting and create a unique and interactive experience for visitors to enjoy the work of over 300 local artists.
“It means tourists will be encouraged to stay in the region longer which has flow on benefits for the local economy. It’s all part of the CLP Government’s plan to drive the development of North Australia and build a $2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.”
Mr Giles said applications would open soon for the Northern Territory Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund.
“We have made $4.75 million available for a Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund in this year’s Budget, up from $500,000 last year, to support new and improved tourism products right across the Territory, particularly in regional and remote communities.”
Mr Giles said the Government would soon be releasing guidelines for the Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund and would be holding free information sessions in coming weeks.
“This is an important opportunity for tourism operators to learn more about the program and how they can start preparing their applications.”
