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Date: 11 September 2007
Victoria's profile as an international creative centre has been given a boost with Victorian artists taking top prizes on the world stage.
Minister for the Arts Lynne Kosky said Geelong's Back to Back Theatre and Melbourne's TinAlley String Quartet were the latest Victorian artists to be recognised internationally.
"Increasingly Victorian artists are being recognised around Australia and the globe," Ms Kosky said.
"From strong representation at premier international arts events like the Venice Biennale to the recent Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Zurich
Theatre Festival, Victorian artists are doing us proud on the world stage."
TinAlley String Quartet came top amongst nine of the world's most accomplished young string quartets at the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition
in Alberta, Canada. The award includes an extensive European and North American recital tour for the quartet in 2007 and 2008.
TinAlley were also the only Australian representatives at the 5th Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in July.
Geelong-based Back to Back Theatre picked up the ZKB Acknowledgement Prize at the Zurich Theatre Festival (Zuercher Theater Spektakel) for its innovative production
Small Metal Objects. The annual prize recognises "extraordinary achievement".
Back to Back is Australia's only theatre company with a full-time ensemble of actors considered to have an intellectual disability. Small Metal Objects premiered at
the 2005 Melbourne International Arts Festival where it received The Age Critics' Awards Special Commendation.
In addition to Zurich, Back to Back has recently performed Small Metal Objects at festivals in Paris, Groningen and Copenhagen. The company will return to Europe in
October for seasons in Dublin and London.
Back to Back's international tour is supported by the Brumby Government through Arts Victoria's International Program.
Ms Kosky said artists play an important role in raising Victoria's profile internationally.
"Our artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers are among our most powerful cultural ambassadors. They promote Victoria's reputation as an innovative creative and
cultural centre," she said.
"That is why the Brumby Government has committed unparalleled support for festivals, major cultural events, film and television industry, community celebrations,
performing artists companies, writing, museums, galleries, libraries, arts centres and artists."
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