Innovative Funding Upgrades NSW Arts Venues

Ensemble Theatre AARMinister for the Arts Don Harwin has announced that cultural infrastructure across Newcastle, Wollongong and Metropolitan and Western Sydney will receive a $350,000 boost.

The Creative Capital Fund will go to 14 venues and is designed to support smaller-scale capital infrastructure across arts, screen and cultural venues. Matched funding of up to $60,000 is available to improve venues, repair and conserve collections or to purchase new equipment to improve the usability of arts and cultural facilities.

“From new kilns in Newcastle to the creation of purpose-built performance and storage spaces in St George and Penrith, I am delighted with the variety of needs this fund caters for,” said Mr Harwin. “Each of our recipients provides a valuable arts offering and service within their local community and it is very important that we support these.”

“These changes will boost capacity and public engagement across our creative hubs and bring benefits for employment, regeneration and tourism. I am really happy that we are in a position to be able to fund programs such as these that give support to organisations large and small.”

For more information, visit: www.create.nsw.gov.au for details.

Image: Ensemble Theatre


Recipients of Creative Capital Funding are:

AIRspace Projects Inc. ($8,828) (Sydney Metro) – to fund the fit-out of an under-utilised workshop space into a contemporary non-conventional museum called AIRseum with accompanying non-live-in artist residency. The funding will also enable new shelving, extra and upgraded lighting, new power points and window replacements at the venue.

Blacktown City Council ($38,436) (Western Sydney) – to purchase audio-visual equipment for the Blacktown Arts Centre, a shipping container for extra space, shelving, art storage trolleys and a gantry and chain block for safe transition and storage of exhibition furniture when not in use.

Cumberland Council ($20,000) (Western Sydney) – to contribute to the fit-out of four new studio spaces at Auburn Arts Studio.

Ensemble Ltd ($60,000) (Sydney Metro) – to fund the renovation of Ensemble Theatre’s premises to meet universal accessibility standards.

Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop Inc. ($5,000) (Sydney Metro) – to replace a kiln which is no longer operational due to rust and disintegrating services with a new one fitted with an automatic digital programmer.

Head On Foundation Ltd ($16,661) (Sydney Metro) – to fund frames and storage for various works associated with the organisation’s annual Head On Photo Festival.

Milk Crate Theatre ($7,000) (Sydney Metro) – funding will help grow Milk Crate’s Artistic Program through new and updated equipment for workshops, productions and upcoming collaborative major work, as well as increasing accessibility within the community.

Mosman Municipal Council ($20,000) (Sydney Metro) – to convert space into a multi-purpose secure storage facility for valuable and fragile artworks from the Mosman Art Collection.

Museum of Fire Inc. ($20,000) (Western Sydney) – to allow for an upgrade to the Penrith museum’s existing Breathing Apparatus exhibition.

Newcastle Studio Potters Inc. ($15,000) (Regional NSW) – to replace two aged and unreliable kilns with two new Woodrow kilns including shelving and dedicated ventilation with the aim to improve and increase access to ceramic art equipment, workshop amenity and health and safety.

Penrith Performing & Visual Arts Ltd ($49,175) (Western Sydney) – to create and install a bespoke art storage hanging system (sliding racks and new shelving units) to provide an industry standard conservation-approved storage facility, as well as a hydraulic lift to enable the safe storage and handling of collection items.

Shopfront Arts Co-Op Ltd ($60,000) (Sydney Metro) – to fund a new purpose-built Arts & Community complex for young people in the St George Region. The centre will increase community capacity, update workshop, screen and audio studios, while adding office space for eight community arts organisations and a small business incubator for young people.

Sutherland Shire Council ($17,500) (Sydney Metro) – to fund the conversion of the garage attached to the original Hazelhurst cottage into a high-quality artist studio. This will include removing and relocating the pump and electrical components for Hazelhurst’s creek and water feature and refitting the space with new walls, floor, ceiling, insulation and doors, along with a workbench and basic equipment.

Sydney Latin American Film Festival Inc. ($12,400) (Sydney Metro) – to complete the fit-out of the Addison Rd Picture House including new curtains, 300 new seats, lighting and a new stairwell to replace a ladder for access to the projection room.