Minister for the Arts, Senator The Hon. Mitch Fifield, has announced more than $1.2 million for 85 arts and cultural projects across regional Australia, through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, welcomed this support for new arts and cultural projects in Australia’s regional communities.

“Locally, $20,000 has been provided to Hay’s Outback Theatre for Young People for The Echo In Our Walls project through the Regional Arts Fund,”

“This project will create a promenade theatre work, reflecting on the relationship the (rural NSW) town of Hay has with its history, but also centring and staged around historic building Bishop’s Lodge. The project will explore stories and artefacts from the house, the community, and the interaction between historic and contemporary Hay.

“This Fund creates valuable opportunities for participation and engagement in the arts for local schools, artists, arts and cultural organisations and also community members right across regional Australia,” Ms Ley said.

The Regional Arts Fund is funded by the Australian Government and delivered nationally by Regional Arts Australia through its member organisations. The Fund supports arts and cultural development projects in regional, remote and isolated communities across Australia.

“This year there is an exciting range of projects, including music, theatre, dance, writing, visual arts, crafts, digital and screen media and community cultural development showcasing the diversity of creativity in our regions,” Minister Fifield said.

Find out more about the Regional Arts Fund at the Regional Arts Australia website http://regionalarts.com.au/regional-arts-fund/