The Blue Room Theatre has been allocated $495,000 for refurbishment and technical upgrades in the first round of Lotterywest’s Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grant Program — part of $10 million distributed across 41 Western Australian arts organisations.
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts has received $328,477, and the City of Fremantle will put more than $280,000 towards upgrades at the heritage-listed Victoria Hall. The funding covers refurbishments, audio-visual and technical equipment, touring rigs, and building improvements, all delivered under the state government’s Creative WA roadmap.
Premier Roger Cook said, “Western Australia is home to a host of vibrant arts and culture organisations that deliver enriching programs, displays, festivals and initiatives for the WA community to enjoy.”
“Meaningful investment in infrastructure, equipment and technology within these spaces will create long-lasting benefits for WA’s creative sector, supporting local artists and strengthening arts and culture in our regions.”
Where does the money go?
The Blue Room grant goes to the Performing Arts Centre Society for work at the Northbridge theatre. PICA, in the same cultural precinct, has been allocated funds for comparable infrastructure work. Victoria Hall, a Fremantle building with heritage protection, will be fitted with modern infrastructure to support accessible performances while preserving its historic character.
Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk framed the program as allowing artists to concentrate on their work rather than on the buildings they work in.
“Through supporting upgrades to spaces and access to new equipment and technology, this funding is helping our WA creatives focus on the creation and delivery of their work. It is also helping to deliver a better experience for our audiences — not just in Perth but also our regional areas.”
Regional WA takes almost half
Close to $5 million — just under half the total — has gone to regional WA, reaching the South West, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid West, Great Southern, Peel, and Kimberley regions.
The largest regional grant is more than $420,000 for a new cultural and creative space in Warburton, a remote community in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
Another $20 million still to come
This is the first of three planned rounds. A further $20 million will be distributed across the next two financial years, bringing the full program to $30 million.
