THE Port Stephens Community Arts Centre has secured a $98,291 grant from the Create NSW Arts and Cultural Assets Program.

The Program aims to support the social recovery of eligible severe weather and flood affected LGAs, such as Port Stephens, by providing funding for restoration, replacement and betterment of arts and cultural infrastructure impacted by the severe weather and flooding in February and June 2022.

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Surrounded by bushland within Nelson Bay, the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre was impacted by gumtree branches causing damage to the building during an extreme weather event.

The damage done, along with prolonged heavy rainfall until March 2023, has caused the exterior of the buildings to deteriorate rapidly due to the wooden exterior of the building, constructed in the 1940s, not having a chance to dry out completely.

When officially announcing the grant, Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP said, “The Port Stephens Community Arts Centre plays such an important role in local people’s lives, fostering creativity and connections across our community.

“The Minns Labor Government is delighted to be able to assist the Centre’s hardworking volunteers to recover from the impacts of last year’s floods.”

The Arts Centre is one of the 26 recipients of grant funding within NSW and the only place within Port Stephens to receive funding.

The grant is funded via the second round of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package – Arts and Cultural Assets Program, designed to support medium to long-term recovery under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“More than $21 million has been committed by the Albanese and Minns Governments for 26 projects supporting eligible arts and cultural organisations to continue to provide important cultural experiences to the community across eight Local Government Areas (LGAs),” NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham said.

Meryl Miller of the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre told News Of The Area, “This substantial investment marks a significant milestone for our organisation and the broader community.

“Port Stephens Community Arts Centre thanks NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham for supporting arts and culture as an essential part of the fabric of regional communities and the creative industries affected by the devastating flood events last,” Meryl said.

“Port Stephens Community Arts Centre appreciates this generous grant from Create NSW.

“The grant will help us improve the facilities we have for our members.

“Receiving the funding is a testament to the importance of the arts in our community.

“Most of our members are Port Stephens residents.

“It will enable us to further our mission of fostering creativity, providing accessible cultural experiences, and strengthening the bonds that make Port Stephens unique.”

Repairing and restoring the exterior of the Community Arts Centre is hoped will generate immediate return on investment.

“The 300 plus artisans practise sixteen different crafts,” Meryl said.

“Members display goods within the gallery for sale on consignment.

“A new exhibition is on display every six weeks.

“Commission received from sales is the income to maintain the venue built as a hospital in the 1940s,” she said.

The funding will also ensure safety for both visitors and members of the Arts Centre.

“The Café awning and box gutters were very unsafe.

“Due to the urgency of this repair and the fact that the repair was to the low side of the building, this part of the project was completed during October 2023.

“The balance of the project will take place in March and April 2024.”

Meryl said the funding will help tackle areas of wood rot on the exterior of the Arts Centre building.

“Cleaning and painting of the exterior of the building will resolve the issues.

“Eaves that are damaged will also be replaced.

“The Management Committee is working on the paint colour decision and we are hoping for an eye-catching look.
“Our improvements will increase attractions for tourists and encourage more local residents to come in and discover what a wide range of creative activities we offer.”

By Marian SAMPSON