NORPA scores three years of funding for first time

The Northern Rivers Performing Arts group (NORPA) has secured three-year funding from Arts NSW for the first time.

The company has received funding to the tune of $885,000.

NORPA is one of the few remaining professional theatre companies in regional Australia that creates and produces original works as well as brings the best of Australian performing arts companies to regional audiences.

The company’s current show, Railway Wonderland, is being staged at the Lismore Railway Station until November 7.

NORPA’s general manager Patrick Healey said the three-year funding would help the company plan future shows, secure in the knowledge that funding would be available.

‘Up until now, NORPA has relied on annual grant and individual project applications for funding,’ Mr Healey said.

‘By changing that to three years, Arts NSW have given NORPA crucial planning stability.

‘The state government and Arts Minister Troy Grant, are to be commended for their commitment to performing arts in regional New South Wales and Lismore. ‘The board, artistic director Julian Louis, staff and volunteers should be proud that their hard work has resulted in NORPA being recognised as a theatre company of significance to New South Wales.’

Mr Healey said the current production, Railway Wonderland, was proof that NORPA was hitting the right notes with local audiences.

He said 2,500 people were set to experience the show during its run.

He said the three-year Arts NSW funding would assist NORPA in continuing to bring outstanding touring companies such as Bangarra Dance Theatre and Bell Shakespeare to the region, help produce adventurous works like the stand-out physical theatre work Cockfight, and create future NORPA original works currently in development Three Brothers and Dreamer.

Gallery also nets funding

The NSW Government is also supporting the Lismore Regional Gallery with $225,000 and a three-year funding round.

‘Lismore Regional Gallery is very excited to now be receiving multi-year funding from Arts NSW, alongside an increase in funding,’ said gallery director Brett Adlington.

‘We feel it is a strong vote of confidence in our programming. It also provides much more certainty for us into 2018, with full knowledge of that level of commitment.

‘We are excited to bring audiences the results of this commitment,’ Mr Adlington said.