Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Board Chair Rose Lovelock, left, showing Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall through the art gallery.
Monday, 11 January 2021.
THE Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (ACCKP) has received a ‘financial injection’ to aid its recovery from COVID-19, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing a $60,000 State Government to assist with its 2021 program.
Mr Marshall said the wider community would be excited to see the centre back showcasing high quality local Aboriginal art.
“Last year, our vibrant arts and cultural sector was hit hard financially by the combined impacts of the pandemic and bushfires,” Mr Marshall said.
“At the height of the pandemic in 2020, ACCKP had to cease classes and close its doors, which had a dramatic impact on its revenue.
“To assist the centre kick-start the New Year in a positive way, this grant will help it deliver a comprehensive program that will encompass 20 newly curated art, photography and dance exhibitions.
“Programs throughout the year will also assist the health and wellbeing of the local Aboriginal community with specialised Aboriginal men’s and women’s gatherings and regular Elders’ group.
“The only way to ensure galleries and arts venues recover is by getting patrons back through their doors – a goal I think ACCKP will have no trouble achieving with the program it has put together.
“It is now the hope, with the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we will see tourists returning to Armidale and engaging again with these important institutions.”
Create NSW’s 2020/21 Arts & Cultural Funding Program is open to individual artists, arts and cultural workers, partnerships and organisations. The funding supports professional projects at any stage of the creative process, with the aim of delivering a more vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector in NSW.
Round 2 of Create NSW’s 2020/21 Creative Koori, Project and Annual Organisation funding will open on 1 February 2021. For further information on arts, screen and cultural funding, including targeted support opportunities, visit the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.