We’d like the whole arts community to email council.
Press Release
Sydney
The iconic and historic Killara theatre has laid virtually unused and bereft of public funding for over a decade. However, now a grassroots community action group has called challenged Ku-ring-gai Council to prioritise the arts.
Long-time local theatre personality, Tony Bates, Chair of Marian St ACTION (Arts and Culture Together In Our Neighbourhood) called on Ku-ring-gai residents to make their voices heard.
“In fact, we’d like the whole arts community to email council.
“Ku-ring-gai are putting the arts last. Ku-ring-gai already has 207 parks, playgrounds and sports fields, 67 tennis courts, two golf courses, and one fitness and aquatic centre – but for those with creative interests, there is only Roseville Arts Centre, and Marian St Theatre, which has been closed for over 12 years.
“Ku-ring-gai’s vibrant grassroots arts scene has been forced out of the area, with groups like Marian Street Theatre for Young People, Pymble Players, Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic, Sanskriti, Hummingsong Choir, and Challis Singers performing elsewhere. Meanwhile, Willoughby has four performance spaces and two visual arts venues; Northern Beaches has two performance and four visual arts spaces; and Ryde is building two new performance spaces in additional to its four heritage houses for arts organisations.”
Ku-ring-gai Council has placed the already approved build of Marian St as Option 4 (of 4) in their current Special Rates Variation to reduce its hefty infrastructure backlog and maintain critical infrastructure.
The approved Marian St Theatre design includes two indoor and one outdoor performance spaces, a rehearsal room, new amenities, and a café opening into a revitalised Selkirk Park. Marian St Theatre is included in Option 4 and would cost just $1.32 more per week per ratepaying household.
“Now is the time for action to restore some semblance of culture in our area!” said Bates.
Email Ku-ring-gai Council to prioritise the arts by 31 August srv@krg.nsw.gov.au
Visit https://marianstaction.com.au/
