The Hon Minister for Resources and Energy

Special Minister of State Minister for the Central Coast

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 10 June 2011

$460,000 ARTS FUNDING PACKAGE FOR CENTRAL COAST

Minister for the Central Coast, Chris Hartcher together with fellow Central Coast Members Chris Spence, Darren Webber and Chris Holstein today announced the award of a $460,000 funding package to position the region as a leading arts destination.

Mr Hartcher said the annual funding of $230,000 over the next two years would support the professional development of local artists, encourage local engagement in contemporary arts practice and boost the local economy.

“This package follows the release of a 2010 report by Lois Randall Creative Consulting which assessed arts infrastructure and resources in and Wyong,” Mr Hartcher said.

“The Central Coast Art + Community 2010 Report recommended that Arts NSW provide a significant injection of funds to boost the region’s creative community over the next two years.”

The $230,000 Arts NSW funding package in 2011 may include:

 Two-year Community Creative Producer Position – Setting up a network of community and industry partners and managing arts projects as part of the funding package. The position will be managed by Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah Campus;  Artist in Residence Project – Engaging an artist to work with the community and mentor emerging artists, research and create and publish local stories; and  Digital Arts Residencies Project – Engaging three digital artists to work with young people to develop creative content. The residencies would be located at Gosford and Wyong youth centres.

Member for The Entrance, Chris Spence said the 2012 funding package is likely to be spent on similar initiatives aimed at building on arts programming through exhibitions or performances of music, theatre, visual or digital works on the Central Coast

The package would also build on existing arts infrastructure in the region such as Wyong Council’s Wyong Creative Enterprise Centres Program and Gosford Chamber of Commerce’s Create, Innovate Gosford City which link artists with available work and exhibition spaces.

“It is also tipped to help establish professional arts networks on the Central Coast with links to business, education, youth and Indigenous organisations,” Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford said.

Arts Minister George Souris said he was delighted that the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has delivered on key findings of the Central Coast Art + Community 2010 Report through this announcement.

“With a population of 320,000, the Central Coast is the third largest residential region in NSW. A further 100,000 residents are expected to call the region home by 2031,” Mr Souris said.

“The NSW Government recognises the importance of supporting the local art sector to meet the demands of this rapidly growing region.”

Member for Wyong, Darren Webber said he was looking forward to seeing the results of this exciting initiative over the next two years.

The recruitment process for the new Creative Producer Position will take place later in the year by the Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC).

ENDS.