$1.8 Million for arts and culture in Myall Lakes
The Myall Lakes community is celebrating more than $1.8 million in new arts and culture funding for the Mid North Coast.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin and Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead announced the funding as part of the government’s new Regional Cultural Fund (RCF) at the Manning Entertainment Centre today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the funding is about activating a flourishing arts and culture presence across regional NSW.
“Arts and culture is about enriching communities with sound, colour and creativity. The Regional Cultural Fund supports organisations like the Manning Entertainment Centre to bring the best of arts and culture to the people of Myall Lakes,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The region secured $1,817,667 in funding as part of the first round of the NSW Government’s $100 million Regional Cultural Fund. The Fund is one of a group of smaller funds that make up the broader $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.
NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin said arts and culture is for everyone.
“Arts and culture is at the heart of regional communities and this first round of funding shows that the NSW Government’s commitment to driving growth in arts, screen, culture and heritage in across NSW is making a difference,” Mr Harwin said.
The Myall Lakes funding will support:
- A new studio theatre space at Manning Entertainment Centre ($1,550,000)
- Design of the theatre space at Manning Entertainment Centre ($20,959)
- A PA system upgrade at Manning Entertainment Centre ($58,393)
- Taree Film Society projector refurbishment ($58,802)
- Lake Street Gallery Renovation Part 2 ($49,513)
- Manning Regional Art Gallery Revitalisation ($80,000)
These projects are included in the 68 projects from 12 regions across NSW that will share in close to $50 million in the first round of grants.
Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead says the funding is a huge coup for the community.
“This is a fabulous outcome for the MidCoast region, and I know these projects will bring a great deal of joy to the people of Myall Lakes,” Mr Bromhead said.
“The revitalisation of the Manning Entertainment Centre, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will improve facilities, create the artist-in-residence studio space and new exhibition space to support emerging local artists,” he said.
MidCoast Council Mayor David West said the funding is the single biggest investment since the Manning Entertainment Centre was built as a bicentennial project in 1987.
“Our community is richer for having cultural facilities like the MEC & Gallery and I am so very grateful to our local Nationals Member Stephen Bromhead and the Premier for this investment,” Mr West said.
“This funding will see a vision come to life, up until today we only dreamed of the New Studio Theatre Space,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said he was pleased to see Myall Lakes benefiting from the first round of funding.
“Having grown up and raised a family in a regional area, I know our regional towns and citiescan have so much to offer in the arts and culture space,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This fund is all about building on that rich arts and culture offering, and enhancing it – not only for those living in our regional towns, but for those who’ll flock to those towns as visitors, keen for a unique arts and cultural experience.
“I congratulate the Myall Lakes community on the successful outcome of their grant application, and for putting forward a project that will enhance the cultural infrastructure of the region,” he said.
Further information about the RCF is available at www.nsw.gov.au/regionalculturalfund or email regional@arts.nsw.gov.au.