‘Muted’ response to grants

Press, 22 June 1983, Page 5

‘Muted’ response to grants

“Muted celebration” was the response of the Association of Community Theatres to this week’s Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council grants to professional theatres. “Obviously we are pleased that the Arts Council is recognising the work the professional community theatres are doing and the reinstatement of Centrepoint’s grant is particularly cheering,” said the association’s acting chairman, Mr

Elric Hooper. Centrepoint, Palmerston North’s professional theatre, was granted $120,000 by the council. The theatre was in danger of closing because of financial difficulties. The council’s total grant to professional theatres was $2.7 million, an increase of 26 per cent on last year. However, Mr Hooper warned of the “cumulative effect of under-investment

in the arts.” It was like standing in the eye of the storm, he said. “The level of funding allows us to continue holding operations this year ... we can see the havoc underinvestment is having. While we have this breathing space we will fight to persuade the powers that be of the urgency of a long, hard look at the cultural needs of New Zealanders,” he said.