The Coastline Community Foundation is providing $10,000 to help school students attend education programs at MidCoast Council's cultural facilities, the Manning Regional Art Gallery, Manning Entertainment Centre, and Libraries.
"We are delighted to collaborate with the Coastline Community Foundation, to the benefit of schools and educational facilities throughout the MidCoast," said Mayor Claire Pontin.
"Schools often have difficulty finding the funds to take students on excursions, so this program is very welcome."
The funding can be used to subsidise the transport costs for excursions.
The MidCoast School Excursions Subsidies Program provides up to $800 per educational facility towards the cost of bringing students to MidCoast Council cultural venues to experience performances, exhibitions and library programs. Schools will be able to claim the subsidy twice in a 12-month period.
"This is the Coastline Community Foundation's first partnership arrangement in the MidCoast," said Coastline Business Relationship Manager, Ivor Thomas.
"Our board feels strongly about the link between cultural activities and strong, healthy communities.
"We believe this program will help make a difference to the lives of many children and young people by inspiring creative minds and building a lifelong interest in arts and culture."
Since its inauguration in 2002, the Coastline Community Foundation has provided over $1,000,000 to over 200 Mid North Coast causes. The Foundation's goal is to support lasting benefits to local communities. Each year Coastline provides 5% of its operating profit to the Coastline Community Foundation. The foundation has a focus on the communities of Macleay, Hastings, and Manning Valleys.
"We have world-class cultural facilities which host renowned artists, authors and performers," said MidCoast Council General Manager, Adrian Panuccio.
"This program will make it possible for more children and young people to access these facilities and take part in a variety of cultural experiences and activities.
"In response to this opportunity, we have expanded our educational program to include more age-appropriate cultural activities than ever before."
The School Excursion Subsidies program is the first initiative to be delivered under the MidCoast Arts and Culture Sponshorship, which sees MidCoast Council partner with like-minded organisations to build cultural development across the region.
Details of the funding and cultural programs, along with application forms are available on the MidCoast Council website midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Art-and-culture-sponsorship.
Photo left to right: MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin; Coastline Business Relationship Manager, Ivor Thomas; MidCoast Council Manager, Adrian Panuccio.
