Twyford Hall Inc has received almost $200,000 in grant funding which will be used for performances at the new theatre and to upgrade audio and lighting in Twyford Hall.
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$30,000 from the federal government's Live Music Australia program, will be used to put together a program over the first 18 months of the new theatre's opening. The program will showcase Bega Valley musicians, including Indigenous and young local performers from the southeast region.
"It will be an opportunity for them to perform in a more formal venue with better facilities and we will put together a program over the first 18 months of opening," theatre ambassador, Frankie J Holden said.
The $91,910 funding from the federal government's Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) program will support several touring performances in 2022 and 2023, and will promote the new theatre as a key destination for artists and audiences in the southeast region.
Frankie J said it would mean employment for actors and technicians in touring companies. He said he was very pleased with the success of the application because they were competing against national organisations and touring companies.
"It's recognition for the new theatre and is about putting Merimbula and the Bega Valley on the map in terms of artistic and cultural capability," Frankie J said.
"Our new theatre is ideally placed to offer touring companies en route between Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, another regional location to stop off and do a show, provide workshops with the community and schools, and bring some much-needed life back to the Merimbula CBD.
"This will underwrite the first 18 months to two years of operation and will kick-start the venue as a centre for a broad range of productions. The financial risks are greatly diminished," he said.
"In addition, long standing community groups like Spectrum Theatre Group and the Merimbula Jazz Festival will continue to make the new complex their home base."
Twyford Hall Inc has also been granted $72,000 from the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, infrastructure grants program.
This will be used for the installation of audio and lighting equipment in Twyford Hall to bring the heritage-listed building up to a safe and professional standard for community and professional events.