NERAM Board Chairman Andrew Murray, left, Packsaddle committee member Glenda Kupczyk-Romanczuk, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and NERAM Director Robert Heather pictured at the recent opening of NERAM’s Packsaddle exhibition.
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today announced a large funding boost for the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale, with $180,000 coming from the State Government over the next three years.
Mr Marshall attended the opening of the NERAM Packsaddle Exhibition recently and took the opportunity to meet with the new gallery director Robert Heather and board members to deliver the good news.
“This triennial funding from Arts NSW provides NERAM with certainty in planning their artistic program and the delivery of a range of services for the local community,” Mr Marshall said.
“Previously funding was only provided on a year-to-year basis at a much lower level, so this funding increase and the three-year certainty is great news for one of our region’s cultural icons.”
Mr Marshall said NERAM was a wonderful community asset and a key cultural tourist attraction for the New England region with up to 40,000 visitors a year. He said he was delighted the funding has been secured and that the government would continue to help fund NERAM’s valuable cultural and educational programs.
“NERAM is responsible for many programs; one of its most prominent being the curation of the wonderful Howard Hinton Collection along with the Chandler Coventry Collection and the NERAM Collection,” he said.
“Touring exhibitions from national, state and other regional galleries are a welcome addition and last Friday we enjoyed the 2015 Archibald Prize exhibition.”
Mr Marshall said the community was blessed with a wealth of local artists whose exhibitions at NERAM were always enjoyed and supported by the community.
“NERAM also conducts many art classes and workshops including special art programs and activities for senior citizens,” he said. “They have a comprehensive educational program for primary and secondary school students and hold many lectures, talks and tours including collection storeroom tours.
“Some of the local community groups they are working with on exhibitions and projects include Beyond Empathy, the UNE Schools Art Prize, Packsaddle and the Black Gully Festival.”
NERAM Board Chairman Andrew Murray welcomed the funding announcement and thanked Mr Marshall for his support.
“The support of the State Government, through the Ministry of Arts as well as the ongoing funding that NERAM receives from the Armidale Dumaresq Council and other benefactors means that in the next three years we can curate vibrant and engaging exhibitions from our own collections as well as host major touring exhibitions such as the Archibald Prize,” Mr Murray said.
“We would also like to thank our local member Adam Marshall for his continued support and advocacy for NERAM.”