It's not widely understood that The Arts Centre Cootamundra (TACC) is an independent community group, according to the Centre's Cultural Development Officer Elise Magrath.
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“Our building is owned by council, but apart from that we’re an incorporated community organisation with full responsibility for running our programs and generating our revenue," she said.
“We have three staff employed part-time for a total of 34 hours – equivalent to less than one full-time employee – so we rely a lot on voluntary help to offer a range of activities such as films, concerts, creative workshops and artists-in-residence.”
The council makes valuable contributions from time to time, such as a grant from the Stronger Communities Fund to upgrade the cinema to the latest digital (DCI) standards. This grant, made in association with council mergers, will enable the cinema to show newer releases.
The State government, too, contributes, notably this year with a $60,000 grant to fund a new business plan for TACC to build its capacity to offer material that interests and engages the community.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, attended a planning meeting at TACC last week to share her thoughts on how the Centre can best grow.
Business consultant David Sharpe of Sharpe Advisory spent the week at TACC and will help the organisation prepare a business plan for the next 3-5 years.
The grant will also look at a “governance refresh” – how the voluntary committee that runs TACC can change with the times, and at ways of getting more young people involved.
“Millennials like to get experience they can put in CVs, such as back-stage and technical skills, so we need to look at what we can offer them.
“The Arts Centre can help improve the liveability of our town the same way sports facilities and shared community spaces do.
“People are more inclined to stay in a town if it offers a diversity of amenities, it’s good for the workforce to have a range of skills, and volunteering and participating in cultural activities gives a sense of belonging.”