A slight increase to funding means Penrith Performing and Visual Arts (PPVA) will continue to entertain the region for years to come.
The PPVA has secured $1.125 million from the State Government over three years, as part of the $19 million Arts and Cultural Development Program.
Though not as large as the 40 per cent funding increase across the state, PPVA CEO, Hania Radvan, said they are delighted funding will continue from January 2016 to December 2018.
“For us, it’s just a four per cent increase, but we are still very happy as it means we have certainty for the next three years,” she said.
Mrs Radvan said the money is fundamental to the PPVA, that will build on programs across the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and the Penrith Regional Gallery.
“It is absolutely vital to the 16 exhibitions we deliver every year across four exhibition suites at the gallery,” she said.
“This isn’t projects funding, this supports our ongoing programs. It helps us do everything we do, it supports things like studioQ, Q Lab, the staff who run them, and the development of new productions.”
She said funding would be split across various artforms.
“I haven’t yet done the budget variations, but essentially it will go to programs on both sides of the PPVA, across theatre, music and visual arts,” she said.
Young people and people with a disability will see more programs, and the PPVA has also committed to increasing the accessibility and relevance of programs to Aboriginal people.
The PPVA is one of 160 arts and cultural organisations across NSW that will see funding to deliver innovative and high quality programs and projects.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant, said funding will support the activities of 30,000 artists and employ more than 3,300 people across NSW.
“We are proud to fund such a diverse range of initiatives to boost our State’s dynamic creative industries and further position NSW as the leading State for arts and culture,” he said.
“I’ve had the privilege of meeting many successful organisations across the State over the past few weeks to personally congratulate them on receiving their funding and see first-hand the passion and artistic expertise NSW holds.”
