COMMUNITY groups are excited by what the renovations to the Ararat Arts Precinct will provide for the wider Ararat population.
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With the precinct opening at the weekend, Ararat Town Hall venue co-ordinator Jacqueline Grenfell said it was an exciting time for the community.
“I think the community will see a remarkable difference in the diversity and quality of shows we can put on. The technical fit out is world class, the quality of the sound and lighting system is wonderful,” she said.
“At the moment we are negotiating with a whole series of agents going into next season. We are really excited to hold talks with a circus company called One Fell Swoop – we are hoping to bring them in February and it will be the first time we could use the trusses for rope work and trapeze.”
Executive manager of Community Life Angela Hunt said the precinct would be an accessible arts and musical hub for Ararat residents and tourists.
“It brings a much more accessible place to the Ararat community,” she said.
“I think it provides a place that the community can be really proud of. The Ararat Town Hall has been the most used municipal building and service for a long time now. This increases the offering for all different purposes.
“It all connects a lot better now. They used to be very separate spaces that felt separate; with this building it fits together. The spaces blend to the next.”
Ararat College will use the Ararat Town Hall for their musical production Another High School Musical: Bring it On from August 9-10.
Ararat Gallery TAMA director Anthony Camm said the works provided the gallery with a chance to focus on its strengths.
“We get to double our gallery spaces and exhibition spaces, so we can attract a lot more touring exhibitions,” he said. “We can start to really promote our textile art focus, which is something we have been doing for 50 years. It’s our 50th anniversary this year and it’s coincided with this project.
“The town hall and the gallery have their own identities but what we have now is a much stronger co-location.”