$24 million investment in regional arts and culture
In the largest and most significant investment in regional arts in Western Australia, Culture and Arts Minister John Day and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman have unveiled the Creative Regions program – a $24 million investment in regional arts and culture over four years.
The Creative Regions program will ensure a strong return on investment for the state and the benefit of regional communities.
‘This investment is crucial in these times of shifting populations and job losses,’ said Jessica Machin, CEO of Country Arts WA. ‘The program will have a major social impact on the regions. It will increase visitor interest and enhance the vibrancy and liveability of regional WA.’
Country Arts WA will be charged with managing Scheme 4 of the program which will expand on existing partnerships and develop new partnerships and programs to provide services to regionally based arts organisations, artists and art workers across all art forms.
Programs will be informed by regional funding priorities identified in a 2013 survey which revealed strong support for the arts from regional people who indicated a desire for the arts to be included in their lives, saw value in investing in the people located in their communities, and recognised the many parts of life that are positively influenced by engagement with the arts.
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