Community backs arts project
Community support for Ararat’s historic arts precinct is gathering momentum with a major donation from prominent community benefactors.
Rowly and Judy Paterson, who live in Ararat district and own ACE Radio and The Weekly Advertiser, have made a significant contribution towards the $7.948-million precinct redevelopment.
Mr Paterson said he felt it was important to ensure Ararat district residents could access cultural experiences readily available to metropolitan counterparts.
“The arts are an important part of the mosaic of life in a town like Ararat,” he said.
“They enrich our lives and give us new opportunities to learn, grow and connect with one another.”
The Ararat Arts Precinct redevelopment, which is on track for a mid-year completion, has been funded via a partnership between the Ararat Rural City Council, the State Government, $5.2-million, the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund, $945,000, and the regional community.
The community has so far raised almost $250,000 towards the project.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Allan Bawden said community contributions would enable important finishing touches to the revamped art gallery and performing arts areas.
“It was always a condition of our government funding that the community would also make a financial contribution to this project,” he said.
“It’s so heartening to see the level of support we are now seeing.”
Mr Paterson said he looked forward to seeing the redeveloped precinct completed and re-opened later in the year.
“I’ve no doubt the work that has been done on the site will pave the way for an expanded arts program in Ararat. I very much look forward to experiencing that,” he said.
The new-look arts precinct is beginning to emerge from behind scaffolding, with major construction works on track for completion at the end of May.
Mr Bawden said art gallery and performing arts programs were scheduled to restart in early August.
People keen to make community contributions can call gallery director Anthony Camm on 5352 2836 or email acamm@ ararat.vic.gov.au.