No. 18

$9 MILLION FOR BELCONNEN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE

The ACT Government has committed $9 million over two years to Stage One of the new Belconnen Arts and Cultural Centre.

“This funding will finalise design works and allow for construction of Stage One of the Arts and Cultural Centre. The new facility will support community events and the arts and better meet the cultural needs of the communities of Belconnen, Gungahlin and the Inner North,” Minister for Arts Jon Stanhope said.

“The ACT Government has invested in arts development to keep pace with community needs now and into the future. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the Feasibility Study undertaken on arts facilities in Belconnen.  In line with this approach, funding has already been provided to employ a full-time Community Arts Officer in Belconnen and is now being followed by construction funding for the first stage of this important community arts facility. 
 
“Significant planning work has been undertaken towards the development of the Arts and Cultural Centre and input has been provided by the community advisory group.  I would like to extend my thanks to the group, which has made important contributions to the project and was instrumental in recommending the magnificent Ginninderra lakeshore site the centre will occupy,” Mr Stanhope said.

The new facility will accommodate spaces for community gatherings and meetings, visual arts workshops, spaces for arts practitioners and community arts organisations, a visual art gallery and a modest dance studio/performance space.  

It is anticipated that construction of the Belconnen Arts and Cultural Centre will commence in early 2008.

“The hard decisions taken in last year’s budget are helping to keep the ACT’s books in the black and providing the funds required to provide quality services and investment in facilities for our community,” Mr Stanhope said.

“Our investment in the Belconnen Arts and Cultural Centre demonstrates the ACT Government’s commitment ensuring community events and the arts are supported as we take the Territory forward,” Mr Stanhope said.