An exciting new Business Arts Partnership, announced in conjunction with the launch of a new theatre project for Northern Tasmania, will direct $30,000 to five schools in the upper Tamar Valley Region over the next three years.
Theatre North's new Kids Accessing Theatre (KAT) project aims to give more school children across northern Tasmania the opportunity to attend professional live theatre performances. Through the KAT project, sponsorships and private donations will give more schools the chance to attend live performances which they would not otherwise have the opportunity to see.
In conjunction with the official launch of Theatre North's KAT project on 16 December 2011, the first business to come on board as a corporate partner has also been announced. Rio Tinto Bell Bay has signed a three year Business Arts Partnership with Theatre North which will specifically benefit schools in the Upper Tamar Valley area. These schools have been identified as being amongst those finding it difficult to bring school groups to the theatre to see professional live shows.
Five schools have initially been selected to benefit from Rio Tinto Bell Bay's commitment to the project. Beaconsfield Primary, Bridport Primary, South George Town Primary, Port Dalrymple School and Star of the Sea, George Town will be offered subsidised transport and ticket prices, thanks to Rio Tinto Bell Bay's sponsorship support of $5,000 per year for three years (2012 – 2014). This will enable the five schools to have affordable access to live performances in Theatre North's subscription season.
This KAT partnership between Theatre North and Rio Tinto Bell Bay has been matched dollar-for-dollar through the Australia Business Arts Foundation's Premier's Arts Partnership Fund, effectively doubling the cash value of the partnership over three years.
The Premier's Arts Partnership Fund is a three way partnership of the Australia Business Arts Foundation, the State Government and corporate partner Nekon Pty Ltd. The Fund was established in 2008 by AbaF and specifically encourages business to partner with the arts by offering dollar-for-dollar matched funds of any new business arts partnership (up to the value of $10 000). Since its establishment the Fund has contributed in excess of $750 000 to business arts partnerships in Tasmania.
Ray Mostogl, General Manager Rio Tinto Bell Bay said "Bell Bay has a long and proud history of working with and actively supporting communities in Tasmania and we are delighted to work with Theatre North to develop and promote a programme that will make a positive difference. A key objective of the company's partnership with Theatre North is to increase awareness of the value of arts and theatre. Kids Accessing Theatre will enable students from George Town, Beaconsfield and Bridport to explore and engage with live theatre in an accessible and entertaining way, which we hope inspires creativity in their schooling and everyday life."
Theatre North is committed to providing opportunities for students to enjoy the benefits of live theatre and presents professional productions suitable for young people in its annual subscription season of shows at the Princess Theatre and Earl Arts Centre.
"This project is so exciting," said Theatre North General Manager, Robin Lohrey. "We know schools are finding it difficult at the moment to send their students to external activities. Research tells us how important access to the arts is for young people in particular. This project helps us in a very significant way to open the door to a new world. And it's building future audiences. Everyone wins."
Theatre North's vision for the KAT project is that students from many other schools, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged schools that would otherwise miss out, will be able to access more theatre experiences and enjoy the benefits of participation in the arts. Support for students in other locations will be funded not only by future business sponsorships but also by private donations.
Any private donations made to Theatre North in 2012 will be directed to the growth of the KAT project.
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