The Manning Entertainment Centre is set to gain a new studio theatre space as well as an upgrade to its PA system as part of arts and culture funding announced by the state government on Thursday afternoon.
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The Myall Lakes will receive $1.8 million in funding, with other projects for the Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree Film Society and the Lake Street Gallery in Forster also supported.
The Manning Entertainment Centre will receive $1,550,000 for the new theatre space, $20,959 for the design of the space and $58,393 to upgrade the PA system.
Manning Regional Art Gallery will receive $80,000 for revitalisation, Taree Film Society’s projector refurbishment receives $58,802 and the Lake Street Gallery secures $49,513 for part two of its renovation.
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). The fund is one of a group of smaller funds that make up the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead said the funding is a huge coup for the community and a fabulous outcome for the region. “The revitalisation of the Manning Regional Art Gallery, 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 and gallery and I am grateful to our local Nationals member Stephen Bromhead and the Premier for this investment.
“This funding will see a vision come to life, up until today we only dreamed of the new studio theatre space,” he said.
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,” she said.
NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin said arts and culture is “at the heart of regional communities”, while Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the fund is “about building on that rich arts and culture offering, and enhancing it.”
