WA regional venues get $2M upgrades

13 regional performing arts venues received a total of $2.09 million funding from the Western Australia Government to upgrade facilities.

They are recipients of Round 2 of the Regional Venues Improvement Fund (RVIF), made possible by a $24 million four-year Creative Regions program investment through Royalties for Regions.

WA’s Regional Development Minister Terry Redman described the $24 million program as one of the largest investments in regional culture and arts made by any government in Australia.

"The fund is one of five schemes under the Creative Regions program which aims to improve infrastructure and establish opportunities for the development of arts and culture through venue upgrades, developing skills and capacity of local arts groups, increasing the number of touring shows and helping Aboriginal art centres," he said.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day added that RVIF grants ensured venues were adequately equipped to accommodate regional performing arts groups as well as enabling more performing arts groups to tour the regions. 

"The RVIF will help to improve regional arts venues and provides arts organisations and artists with the support to deliver an expanded variety of experiences to their communities. 

"The second round of the RVIF had a strong response with applications from across WA, highlighting the important role cultural centres play in regional communities.

"The $2.09 million investment from the State Government has leveraged an additional $2.85 million in local government contributions, enabling upgrades that would otherwise not be possible."

The biggest amount of funding, $500,000, went to the Margaret River Cultural Centre. It will be used for a more accessible entrance, improved bar facilities and a more centralised position for its commercial kitchen. It is part of the larger HEART Project – Hub of Entertainment, Arts and Regional Tourism – for increased use of the facilities for arts and cultural, business, community and tourism events and conferences.