Shandong Arts

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:50): My question is directed to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, how are the arts working to create strong ties with our sister city in the province of Shandong?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:50): I thank the member for Ashford for her active interest in our important and vibrant arts sector in South Australia. Particularly the small to medium art sector, I know the member for Ashford has a particular interest in that sector. Since the inception of the state government's sister province agreement with Shandong, the arts have played a pivotal role in maintaining this strong economic and trade relationship. As a part of the 30^th anniversary celebrations, a South Australian cultural showcase took place in Jinan and Qingdao, from 5 to 8 April, presenting some of South Australia's best artists and cultural organisations.

The ASO led a series of master classes, workshops and rehearsals, with their principal players, Natsuko Yoshimoto, Mark Gaydon and Adrien Uren, working with the Shandong Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a concert in Jinan. On the same night, the Qingdao Concert Hall played host to Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director, Slava Grigoryan, and his brother Leonard, who performed alongside their esteemed Chinese colleagues, the Beijing Guitar Duo.

The SALA Festival presented a contemporary photographic exhibition: Great Southern Land: South Australian artists reflect on their home land. Curated by Carollyn Kavanagh, the exhibition provided unique vision of the landscapes and people of South Australia through the eyes of six of our state's finest photographic artists. The State Library hosted children's literature programs at both the Shandong Provincial Children's Library, and the Jinan City Library and featured workshops for both children and librarians by renowned South Australian author Phil Cummings.

Of course, no arts or cultural showcase would be complete without a showing of a South Australian Film Corporation film, with the Shandong audiences treated to a screening of the internationally acclaimed Tracks. Building on this exciting showcase in April, members of the South Australian arts community will be again descending on Shandong in August for the Qingdao Beer Festival.

Local arts entrepreneurs Stuart Duckworth and Tom Skipper, best known for the Royal Croquet Club, will be pairing with the Adelaide Fringe to build the Royal Adelaide Club. The Royal Adelaide Club is expected to see around two million people through its doors and will promote a swag of iconic South Australian businesses.

I understand that at last night's council meeting the Adelaide City Council agreed to fund local Fringe artists to travel to China to perform at the venue. This is a great opportunity, not only for Stuart, Tom, the Fringe and all of the artists and businesses involved, but for our state showcasing what South Australia has to offer to an up and coming Chinese youth market.

Artists are pivotal in breaking down barriers between cultures and creating long-lasting ties. Through these connections, the arts will continue to contribute to South Australia's strong economic and trade relationships with this important part of our region.