Brisbane’s cultural sector needs double its current financial support, the Greens say, calling for the council’s festivals and events program budget to increase from $4.1 million to $8.2 million.

Announcing their commitment to double the funding if they win the lord mayoralty with candidate Kath Angus, the Greens further called for the existing council to invest more into local community festivals.

Queensland Ballet receives funding from Brisbane City Council, but the Greens want double the funding for all cultural festivals in the council’s budget.Credit:Darren Thomas

Central ward candidate, arts administrator and DJ Trina Massey said the arts were an “essential part of a healthy society”.

“Without music, theatre, film-making, storytelling, poetry, circus, dance and visual art, life just isn’t quite the same,” she said.