$88,000 lifeline for the arts in Narrogin

The Arts Narrogin community has breathed a sigh of relief after receiving $88,000 in grant funding over the next 21/2 years.

Delivered through the State Government’s Regional Arts WA program, the funds are designed to support art culture and entertainment in the Narrogin region.

Arts Narrogin manager Cait Stewart stressed the importance of the grant in keeping the organisation going, saying she was overcome with relief when she heard its application had been successful.

“If we didn’t get this funding it would have huge impacts on Arts Narrogin, because we wouldn't have been able to retain our staff and we wouldn’t be able to manage and maintain the program we’ve got,” she said. “Things would’ve had to be cut right back.”

Arts Narrogin shared in the $1.52 million injected into 16 arts and culture organisations across regional WA last month. When asked why Arts Narrogin was such an important part of the community, Ms Stewart spoke about connection between both people and the arts.

In the past year, Arts Narrogin has brought shows, workshops, exhibitions and fundraisers to Narrogin.

“Getting acts like Djuki Mala and Perth Symphony Orchestra down here have been fantastic, and also being able to take parts of these visiting shows into the aged-care facilities,” Ms Stewart said.

“We’ve also had a number of workshops as well as exhibitions from artists and emerging artists, such as Graham Smith with his Unsung Heroes exhibition.”

“Without Arts Narrogin we just wouldn’t be able to bring the community any of these things.”

Ms Stewart said the grant gave the group certainty and allowed it to get on with developing its program.

“We have a lot of things in the pipeline for next year now, which is really exciting,” she said.