New-found FvAME for the Valley

NEWS

Entertainment businesses and art organisations now have a collective voice following the emergence of a Valley Chamber of Commerce sub-committee to oversee Brisbane’s entertainment district.

The Fortitude Valley Arts, Music and Entertainment group (FvAME), chaired by Judith Wright Centre director Ruth Hodgman, has been formed to promote and connect creative industries across several inner Brisbane suburbs.
Ms Hodgman said FvAME’s boundaries included postcodes 4005 and 4006, which reaches from the RNA Showgrounds through to the Brisbane Powerhouse. “There are a lot of quality and important activities and events within these postcodes that need to be promoted,” Ms Hodgman said.
We’ll be representing the interests of companies involved in music, the arts and other creative industries, such as fashion designers, art galleries and electronic game developers.”
FvAME members includes representatives of Q Music, RNA Showgrounds, Palace Cinemas, Qld Museum Building events, Judith Wright Centre, Secret Service, Time Off Magazine, The Pullos Group, City News, Village News, Barsoma, VLA and the Valley Chamber of Commerce among others. FvAME’s executive committee will be finalised in September and Ms Hodgman is urging any stakeholders or people with a vested interest in the arts and music to become members.
Ms Hodgman said FvAME’s goals included a specific calendar-based website to advertise all events in the area, uniting stakeholders and being a conduit through which information flows.
“This will be a centralised committee working in the interests of all stakeholders and will help promote and support festivals, markets and art exhibitions,” Ms Hodgman said.
“The Valley is more than just nightclubs, it’s the hub of creativity in Brisbane and we have to make sure our artists have venues, festivals and markets to perform or exhibit,” Ms Hodgman said.
Q Music executive officer Denise Foley said FvAME will streamline the process to enhance such events as this year’s BIGSOUND and Valley Fiesta and provide a central body to assist artists.
“This is an excellent result for all businesses and artists in Brisbane,” Ms Foley said.