Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries yesterday announced Cobar Shire Council would receive $398,188 to upgrade exhibitions at the Great Cobar Heritage Centre.
Mr Humphries was in Cobar yesterday to present the funding from round two of the NSW Government’s $100million Regional Cultural Fund.
“Most of the extant exhibitions are 30 years old and this is an opportunity to master plan the exhibition, to move things around to create a better flow through the themes,” Mr Humphries said.
“The redevelopment will retain high museum standards, allow conservation concerns caused by the old exhibitions to be addressed and serve to reinvigorate interest from our local community, and from visitors leading to an increase in interest and visitation, promoting further growth and engagement.
“These kinds of projects offer new experiences for both local and overseas visitors, leading to more tourism dollars and jobs in the Barwon electorate,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said Barwon had seven projects approved totalling $3,429,408 from the $47million handed out in the round two funding.
This also included almost $5million specifically for regional public library infrastructure projects.
“Art, screen, culture, music and performance are at the heart and soul of regional NSW and this funding will provide even more opportunities for locals to enjoy entertaining and educational experiences,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Importantly it will also provide artists with new opportunities to showcase innovative and quality works and allow visitors to experience a diverse range of arts and activities while generating social, economic and tourism benefits across the state.
“By improving and supporting local art galleries, libraries and artist-led public art we are making towns and cities across regional NSW vibrant places to live, study, work and play.”
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the Regional Cultural Fund would provide inspiration, education and development opportunities for young regional artists.
“It has been my pleasure to see first-hand how the first round of recipients have benefitted and I have no doubt that these new projects will continue to enrich the lives of artists, cultural workers and communities across the State,” Mr Harwin said.
The Regional Cultural Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.6billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to improve economic growth and productivity as well as community amenity with investment in regional communities.
