Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, right, and New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) Director Rachael Parsons celebrating multiple funding announcements today.
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today congratulated New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) Director Rachael Parsons on receiving several grants from the State Government, totalling almost $180,000.
Mr Marshall said the support, from the NSW Business Case and Rescue Restart Funds, was crucial to support the gallery build a business case to further expand, help the local arts sector recover from the COVID downturn and invest in local artistic talent.
“NERAM is the jewel in our region’s cultural crown and I’m thrilled to see the funding continue to flow to aid its recovery and growth and to help support our local artist,” Mr Marshall said.
“NERAM has been awarded $136,875 under the Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Development Fund for a business case to build a new museum.
“This is about helping develop robust business cases and evidence-based analysis, to break down project costs, outline how projects will benefit the community and identify any challenges that need to be met.”
Mr Marshall said a further $36,000 has been secured under the Rescue Restart Fund to support programs that have been compromised due to funding shortfalls.
NERAM Director Rachael Parsons said she was grateful for the support which would help with operational and program costs this year.
“The combined pressure of several years of COVID and extreme weather disruptions as well as current increases in operational costs has been widely felt across the arts sector, making this funding vital support for arts organisations including NERAM,” Ms Parsons said.
Ms Parsons and Education Officer Alexis Rickards have been recognised for their talents, being awarded fellowships under the prestigious Museum and Galleries Fellowship.
Ms Parsons was awarded $6,000 to undertake a fellowship at the Dallas Museum of Art while Education Officer Alexis Rickards was awarded $3,000 for a placement at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
“These are two incredible women with outstanding artistic talent and leadership qualities,” Mr Marshall said.
“It is fantastic that our museums and galleries continue to receive this investment each year and I’m delighted that Rachael and Alexis are being recognised and rewarded for their phenomenal talent.”