Lobby group optimistic about the future investment in Western Sydney cultural infrastructure

The Western Sydney Arts and Cultural Lobby remains optimistic about the future investment into arts and cultural infrastructure in Western Sydney.

Founded in 2014, the group represents hundreds of artists, performers and cultural organisations in the rich and diverse cultural scene in Sydney’s West. It includes small, independent medium and larger scale arts enterprises to speak with one voice about Western Sydney’s arts and cultural ecology.

Group spokesman David Capra explained “the Lobby was surprised to read (recent comments) from NSW Arts Minister Troy Grant about concerns over creating an infrastructure funding ‘precedent’, as NSW Governments have had a long and admirable record of building arts facilities in the Western Sydney.

 “Most of the Western Sydney arts facilities were built or expanded in partnership between the NSW State Government and Local Government, and have become homes to unique and important cultural work.

 “This investment has, over the years, contributed enormously to the economy and social life of Western Sydney.

 “The Lobby recognises that successive Liberal/National and Labor state governments have, for decades, invested in cultural infrastructure and programming across NSW. And that we (the Lobby) look forward to this continuing.

 "The Lobby group had not anticipated that Minister Grant would announce that further investment in the region would set a precedent that could become unsustainable for Government.

 “The NSW state government has a stated commitment to working with Local Government in Western Sydney to build arts and cultural facilities as outlined State Infrastructure Strategy as a part of the Rebuilding NSW Plan and the Plan for Growing Sydney.

 “We ask that cultural facilities in Western Sydney are able to compete for the remaining $259m.”

Capra said the NSW Government had committed to an ongoing dialogue with the Western Sydney Arts and Cultural Lobby about the future of arts funding. The Lobby continues to have a positive relationship with the NSW state government with regards to cultural investment and development in the region.

He added “we have had many productive meetings with the current NSW Government about the future of Western Sydney and those have been very amenable. We will continue to work with the Arts Minister in good faith, with the knowledge that there is an important role for the NSW Government to play in the future of the arts in Western Sydney.”

Image shows Parramatta's Riverside Theatre.

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