ALBURY, and the Border, is fast developing a reputation as an artistic and cultural centre of excellence.
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Monday’s announcement that the NSW government will invest $1.4m over the next three years is testament to this.
Albury’s LibraryMuseum, HotHouse Theatre, the Flying Fruit Fly Foundation, Murray Arts Inc and MAMA will all benefit through the Arts and Cultural Development Program.
The security of knowing money is locked in now allows all these wonderful organisations to do what they do best: produce amazing artistic talent.
Anyone who has visited any of these facilities knows how much talent is nurtured and developed on the Border.
Fruit Fly Circus graduates have performed around the world and the HotHouse Theatre has a well-deserved reputation of taking on challenging and thought-provoking works.
The money means budding acrobats and performers will continue to develop through the Fruit Fly Foundation.
It means HotHouse Theatre can lock in five subscription season productions.
Both have been key players on the Border for a long time and now MAMA adds to this wonderful pool.
MAMA’s $40,000 will go towards a new exhibition, Speed: Faster, Larger, Stronger, Quieter as it looks to keep its exhibitions fresh and evolving.
The fact people travelled from the capital cities to attend the recent MAMA opening shows the Border is on the artistic radar.
MAMA has shown the Border deserves to take its place among Australia’s big art venues.
The contemporary gallery is matched by brilliant, interactive and challenging works on show.
The benefits of a thriving art scene flow to all corners of the community but public funding can go only so far.
To ensure this rise in popularity does not fritter away, those already working tirelessly in the arts need to remain on the ball, to keep it vibrant.
They must continuously be on the lookout for new funding opportunities.
And, in the meantime, the Victoria and federal governments must follow the NSW lead and match this money as they too will reap the rewards.