BY ARIANA GATTI
Applications are now available to councils, as well as arts, screen and culture organisations around the Hunter to secure a financial share of funding from the NSW Liberal-National Government’s Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).
Organisations and councils around the Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Port Stephens areas are being urged to submit their expressions of interest in the available $47-million funding pool, as part of the second round of the RCF.
Applications to enter opened on the 1st of July, and is set to close on the 21st of September, leaving plenty of time for local organisations to get involved.
The second round of funding will go towards infrastructure and re-development projects to improve current conditions of arts and cultural facilities across the Hunter region.
Projects which may receive some of the financial assistance range from new exhibition and performing arts centres and spaces, the refurbishment of libraries, museums and theatres.
Other local initiatives, such as grass-roots community projects and some sporting institutions may be included in the list of areas that need a little boost for the benefit of local communities.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, says how the funds would be distributed across the Hunter region is yet to be decided.
“It really comes down to the merit and worth of the projects, so it’s too early at this stage to definitely say what areas will receive funding first”, he says.
MacDonald believes the financial support will go a long way in keeping the appreciation of culture alive.
“There’s a great history of arts and culture across the Hunter and we want to continue that as we know a diverse culture works best together, and the art’s work very well to secure that”, he says.
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