Inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants

29 June 2023

Today I announce the six recipients of the inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants. The Cultural Partnerships are one of a suite of Maitri (meaning friendship) initiatives administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“The Albanese Government is strengthening creative collaboration between Australia and India to further our cultural understanding and enhance our economic ties.”

The Centre is working across government, industry, academia, and the community to build greater understanding within the Australia-India relationship and support businesses to seize the opportunities of our economic partnership.

“The Maitri Cultural Partnerships will deepen our creative sector engagement from major cultural institutions to smaller, community partnerships,” says Senator Wong

Each of these projects will support new and exciting collaborations with India and enhance the connections between our creative sectors and India's thriving cultural industries. Mona Foma, the Tasmanian

Festival of Music and Arts, will lead a two-year Australia-India music collaboration with artistic exchanges and music residencies, culminating in a major concert in 2025.

Bábbarra Women's Centre in Maningrida Northern Territory will work with Tharangini Studios in Bengaluru to engage emerging women artists in textiles development.

Raghav Handa will lead a joint effort between FORM Dance Projects and Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts to be performed at the 2024 India Biennale in Bengaluru.

Western Australia's Undercurrent Theatre Company will collaborate

“That is why from 1 July 2023, we will be reducing the annual cost of our green bins by more than 50 percent, to just $45.

“The cut price green bin initiative is part of Council’s $80 million relief package announced in the budget.”

For more information on the kerbside large item collection services, or to see your suburb’s collection date, visit www. brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘kerbside large item collection service’ or download the free Brisbane Bin and Recycling app today.

Accepted items include: bath and laundry tubs bicycles and sporting equipment carpet and rugs electronic waste (e.g. televisions and computers) furniture and white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves) mattresses small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters) wood products less than 1.5 meters

Unacceptable items include: batteries of any kind (including car, rechargeable, and lithium batteries) bean bags (including the polystyrene bean filling) bricks and concrete car parts and tires commercial builders waste (e.g. equipment and tools) dirt and stones garden waste (e.g. hoses, rakes, potted plants) gas bottles general household waste (e.g. food scraps) that normally goes into your waste or recycling bin glass and mirrors hazardous wastes (e.g. chemicals, oil, asbestos) with the Kerala-based Void Ensemble on a new production to be performed in Perth and Trivandrum.

“With cost of living a big issue for residents, this practical measure will also directly benefit the almost 140,000 households who already have a green waste recycling bin.

Benjamin Knapton, a leading Australian circus and physical theatre director, will work with performers of traditional Indian physical theatre on a production that will premiere at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.

Melbourne's Liquid Architecture and Sarai-CSDS in New Delhi will co-host a symposium, workshop, and exhibition on creative practices that utilize new technologies in sound and media.

Tim Thomas, CEO, of the Centre for Australia-India Relations says: lino and fibro sheeting (potentially contains asbestos) iquids (e.g. paint)

“The Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants are a key element of the Centre for Australia-India Relations' work to deepen understanding and connections between Australia and India. Strong cultural ties will increasingly be a feature of our strong relations.

“The Centre is pleased to support these projects to bring fresh and innovative perspectives to the AustraliaIndia relationship and to foster creativity in our own multicultural ecosystem.” Further details on the successful grant projects can be found at