Subscribe

Media Release

Major new arts centre opens in Cootamundra

28 September 2007

Watch the video

A video made on the day of the Opening is now available on the MPTV website here.

THERE was a large crowd including State and Federal MPs at the Opening by the Director-General of the NSW Department of Arts, Sport & Recreation, Mr Robert Adby, of the Cootamundra Creative Arts & Cultural Centre on Friday 14 September.

The new centre is the result of a unique community initiative to transform a once derelict but historically significant building complex into an 'artists' playing field' for the education, exhibition, production and performance of arts related activities.

Since it began over three years ago, the Arts Centre project has provided the Cootamundra Shire with two dedicated fine and visual arts studios, several music studios for teaching, a space for the creation of a 'men’s shed' and, now, a new reception foyer and exhibition space.

The crowd at the Opening attested to the both the significance of and need for the new Arts Centre in Cootamundra. The Federal Member for the Riverina, Kay Hull, and the State Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, were in attendance, as were the Shire Mayor, Paul Braybrooks, the CEO of Regional Arts NSW, Elizabeth Rogers, Melissa Delaney and Kate Christie from the Eastern Riverina Arts Program, and a large contingent from the local community.

Support for the project from both the community and local business has been consistent and strong. The project has utilized over 6,000 hours of volunteer labour, and community fundraising support has been exceptional during one of the worst droughts the Shire has experienced.

The State Government, through Arts NSW, also provided a grant of $75,000 for the development of the exhibition and performing arts rehearsal space in 2005.

Cootamundra Shire was the winner of the Local Government and Shires Associations Cultural Award for Infrastructure Award for Stages 1 to 5 of the project in 2005.

Mr Adby opened Stages 6 & 7 of the project - the Reception Foyer and Exhibition Space. Stages 8 & 9, providing a Performing Arts Theatre with associated back stage and dressing room facilities, will be the next concern of the dedicated and hard working volunteers who have made this project possible.

"If you wish to see a truly remarkable community project visit Cootamundra and enjoy the true meaning of a positive viable 'project in progress,' totally community driven and executed," said Isabel Scott, Centre Director.

Watch the video

A video made on the day of the Opening is now available on the MPTV website here.

Photos

Top: L-R: Paul Braybrooks, Cootamundra Shire Mayor;
Bruce Ward, Cootamundra Arts Centre Chair; Isabel Scott,
Centre Director; Elizabeth Rogers, CEO of RANSW; and
Robert Adby, Director-General of the Department of Arts,
Sport & Recreation at the opening of the Cootamundra
Creative Arts & Cultural Centre 14 September 2007.
Photo: Ashleigh Warton, courtesy Cootamundra Herald

Bottom: L-R: Elizabeth Rogers, CEO of RANSW;
Katrina Hodgkinson, State Member for Burrinjuck and
Kay Hull, Federal Member for the Riverina at the
Opening on 14 September.