Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, left, with New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) Director Rachel Parsons.
Monday, 20 December 2021
AN upgrade to the loading bay at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) will create new opportunities to attract exciting travelling exhibitions, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing an $85,144 State Government grant to improve access on site.
Mr Marshall said NERAM was the jewel in the region’s cultural crown and it will play an important role in Armidale’s COVID-19 recovery.
“This is wonderful and timely news for NERAM which has weathered yet another difficult year due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Mr Marshall said.
“In order to continue efforts to future proof the institution this grant will improve access to, and the size of, the gallery’s loading bay.
“This will give NERAM the capacity to receive larger pieces of work and attract bigger touring exhibitions which are popular with a greater cross-section of the community.
“Annually, 40,000 people walk through the doors of NERAM, many of those travelling from outside of the region.
“I think this project will be a real master-stroke in expanding NERAM’s appeal to a wider audience, assisting it to increase visitation and continue to be a prominent tourist drawcard.”
This funding is part of the NSW Government’s $60 million Creative Capital program to address the demand for cultural infrastructure, support the creative economy and improve access for local communities to quality arts venues.
Mr Marshall said NERAM was also entering the second year of a $320,000 multi-year funding program.
“Last year the State Government threw its full support behind NERAM by providing $80,000 per annum for four years to support its day-to-day operations,” he said.
“Heading into the second year this funding has been a god-send, not only providing financial breathing room to cover operating costs during the pandemic, but also setting the platform for an exciting schedule of exhibitions in 2022.
“I look forward to a big year ahead for NERAM and its 100 volunteers and congratulate Director Rachel Parsons on the work she has done to keep the doors open during such a difficult period.”