Council secures cultural infrastructure boost for Slim Dusty Centre
Published on 06 December 2021
The future of the Macleay Valley's arts and cultural facilities is bright following funding secured to boost infrastructure at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Kempsey Shire Council has been successful in their application to receive funding to develop arts and cultural facilities through the Slim Dusty Centre.
Kempsey Shire Council Corporate and Commercial Director, Stephen Mitchell, said the grant will improve the centre's services which will mean the venue can accommodate a greater variety of events and functions.
"The Slim Dusty Centre has the potential to be a leading arts and culture facility for our community and this funding will allow us to take the first steps to making that a reality.”
The good news comes after Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey today announced that Kempsey will benefit from funding as part of Round 1 of Minor Works and Equipment Projects through the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.
“I am delighted to announce the Slim Dusty Centre is the recipient of $186,000 to improve and develop our arts and cultural facilities in the Macleay Valley,” Ms Pavey said.
“This investment will also boost the local tourism industry and I’d like to thank Kempsey Shire Council for their successful application”.
Ms Pavey said the funding will deliver:
- refurbishment of the existing space to create a fit-for-purpose Regional Art Gallery
- a larger performance space to support performances, school events and activities
- an additional fit-for-purpose performance/event space
- an Art Lab to support professional development/art workshops/residencies
- an upgrade of existing AV equipment and other event equipment to support touring performance needs.
The Slim Dusty Centre is one of 60 recipients sharing in more than $6 million across the state to support the development of new and upgraded cultural infrastructure and equipment for museums, theatres, performance spaces, galleries and Aboriginal Keeping Places.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the funding for Kempsey Shire would mean everyone across the state would have access to quality cultural infrastructure, no matter where they were from.
"This investment will ensure that no matter where people live across NSW, they will be able to see, make and participate in exciting arts and cultural experiences in state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose creative spaces," Mr Harwin said.
“Every region in NSW is getting their fair share of arts and cultural expenditure.”
A full list of recipients funded through the Round 1 of Minor Works and Equipment Projects will be available on the Create NSW website.
This funding is part of the NSW Government’s $60 million Creative Capital program to address the demand for cultural infrastructure, support the creative economy and improve access for local communities to quality arts venues.