Talents shortlisted to establish Far North Queensland public art trail

Four artists from across the country have been shortlisted to progress to the concept design phase of the Savannah Way Art Trail.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the shortlisting of artists was an exciting milestone in the celebration of Queensland's extended Year of Indigenous Tourism and the Year of the Outback.

'Creating more unique' cultural visitor experiences in the outback Far North is important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture' tourism and the Palaszczuk Coivd-19 Economic Recovery Plan'' Mr Hinchliffe said.

'This concept design phase is the next step in putting the Savanah Way Art Trail on the must-see list for visitors from around Australia and the world with culturally significant artistic talent on permanent display for years to come'' he said.

"CQUniversity received 12 applications from really quite high calibre artists and we're excited to announce the four that have made it to the next stage'' Project Manager Patty Preece said.

Shortlisted artists include Ian Waldron' Paul Johnson' Manning Daly art and Braham Stevens.

The successful candidate will work with six communities (Georgetown' Croydon' Normanton' Karumba' Burketown and Doomadgee) along the Savannah Way to create geographically and culturally significant permanent public art pieces in the Far North.

'The four shortlisted artists are all unique in their own rights and we look forward to seeing their concept designs.'

Ms Preece said the artworks would need to celebrate the beauty and unique characters of their respective communities in a hope to attract more cultural tourists to the region.

'We hope that the Savannah Way Art Trail will result in positive social and economic outcomes for the communities.'

Savannah Way Art Trail is funded under the Year of Outback Tourism Events Program' the Regional Arts Services Network and the Regional Arts Development Fund.

The Regional Arts Services Network is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Etheridge Shire Council' Croydon Shire Council' Carpentaria Shire Council' Burke Shire Council and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.