Art collective and not-for-profit association Cementa is firing on all cylinders right now and its Creative Director Alex Wisser has big plans to cement its home in Kandos.
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A fundraiser to help with the purchase of their base on Angus Avenue aimed for $25,000 but by the end the total has swelled to $40,111. "It was an incredible result, which just puts us well ahead of the game," Alex said.
The next big move is to realise that dream of purchasing the a former movie theatre at 71 Angus Avenue in Kandos.
"We've got a few other sort of cards up our sleeve to get the rest of the money together. But it looks like if that's the way we're starting that we're pretty sure we'll be able to raise the funds to purchase 71 Angus."
The building currently houses the Cementa offices, an artist residency, and workshop and community spaces.
Following a disappointing delay in 2021, the annual Cementa Festival, which has become a major tourist drawcard is set to go ahead. Due to be held from May 19-22, the 2022 event is set to be a celebration of experimental art-making and creative community practice.
In addition to this, Cementa received funding from the state government for the eighth year in a row.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced the funding $139,000 to support the event last week. "This funding aims to support the Festival's relaunch after being postponed due to the pandemic," he said.
Mr Toole said that after another challenging year, he is thrilled the NSW Government is investing in the Kandos and Rylstone area through the Arts and Cultural Funding Program.
"The people of Kandos and Rylstone are chomping at the bit to return to experiencing and engaging with our local galleries, theatres and festivals," he said.
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Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin - who was recently in Mudgee for the official opening of the Mudgee Arts Precinct, said he knows that 2021 was a difficult year and there is a strong sense of anticipation from audiences and the sector to come back even bigger and better in 2022.
"The NSW Government is proud to be investing in a record 198 programs through this funding round which will create jobs for over 17,000 arts and cultural workers," Mr Harwin said.
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