$350k grant to extend theatre company’s reach

AWARD winning children’s theatre producer Arena Theatre Company has welcomed a $350,000 grant from Creative Australia as part of a new two-year pilot investment program.

The $3.88 million program will support a total of 12 small to medium arts organisations across theatre, dance, experimental arts, community arts, cultural development and visual arts throughout 2025 and 2026.

Arena’s CEO Debra Allanson said the funding will make a “world of difference” to the company.

“It means that we can get greater depth into our programs, particularly through schools,” she said.

“(Creative) arts for children is as critical as any other part of their learning experience, whether it’s mathematics, English or geography.

“It helps with critical thinking, it helps to inspire, it helps to empower.

“We’re incredibly thankful for this new support through Creative Australia, it really does make an enormous difference.”

Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the benefits of community arts and theatre are far reaching and the city is lucky to have Arena Theatre Company to be able to provide artists a platform to tell their story.

“Organisations like these play a vital role in the local community and I’m proud to see our government step in to fund this two-year pilot program,” she said.

“Having a youth theatre arts-based organisation here in central Victoria that can reach out to all of our regional communities means that our young people get the same experience as young people in Melbourne.”

Additional information is available on the Creative Australia website.