MEMBER for Monaro John Barilaro was joined yesterday by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant to announce a $20,000 grant to help fund the Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards.
Following the ACT Government’s decision to withdraw funding support for the CAT Awards, Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government was keen to ensure financial viability of the awards.
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government is committed to supporting and developing theatre.
“Amateur theatre might not be ‘avant-garde’ enough for the ACT Government to have any interest, however it is popular for regional communities and brings people together,” Mr Barilaro said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said since the awards were founded in 1995, they have grown to become a major event in the theatrical calendar in the ACT and throughout NSW.
“The event held in Canberra showcases a variety of theatrical productions and raises the profile of home grown talent,” Mr Grant said.
“Last year 21 of the 44 CAT Award winners were from theatre companies across regional NSW demonstrating the depth of creative talent existing in regional communities.
“Many companies, performers and production personnel in the region have found the CAT Awards bring the satisfaction and enjoyment of having their talent recognised and build a higher profile for their theatre company locally.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is committed to fostering a vibrant creative arts presence in regional communities,” Mr Grant said.
[Photo by Gary Schafer]
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