Media Release – Lotterywest supports The Blue Room Theatre’s refurbishment and technical upgrade with $495,000 grant
The Blue Room Theatre has secured a $495,000 grant from Lotterywest towards the refurbishment and technical upgrade of the venue, delivering long-term benefits for Western Australia’s independent live performance sector and the wider community.
The investment will support a comprehensive refurbishment of the heritage-listed venue and an upgrade of its technical infrastructure, improving accessibility, safety, functionality, and audience experience. These works will enable The Blue Room Theatre to continue delivering inclusive and accessible cultural experiences for the WA community, while strengthening its capacity to support emerging artists and independent theatre makers.
The grant was officially presented by Minister for Creative Industries, Simone McGurk, to The Blue Room Theatre CEO, Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa OAM, alongside staff and Board members at the venue.
The Blue Room Theatre CEO, Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa OAM, said the Lotterywest support would significantly strengthen the organisation’s ability to serve artists, audiences and community.
“For more than 36 years, The Blue Room Theatre has been a vital springboard for theatre makers and a cornerstone of Western Australia’s independent arts sector. We support artists to take creative risks, experiment within their practice, and develop new work,” she said.
“This refurbishment and technical upgrade will ensure our spaces are inclusive, accessible and fit-for-purpose, allowing artists to dream bigger and audiences to enjoy richer, higher-quality cultural experiences. Importantly, it also lifts safety and technical capability across the venue, ensuring our spaces meet contemporary standards.”
The Blue Room Theatre plays a critical role in Western Australia’s arts ecosystem, providing presentation opportunities, employment and professional development pathways for independent artists and arts workers.
Minister McGurk said investing in cultural infrastructure will ensure a strong and sustainable arts sector in Western Australia.
“We know the important role that WA’s arts infrastructure plays in supporting the success of our creatives and the upgrade to The Blue Room Theatre will deliver a long-term benefit to the performance sector,” Minister McGurk said.
“For decades, The Blue Room has been a vital incubator of WA performance talent. This investment will ensure their infrastructure keeps up with the creative energy their building contains.”
“The Cook Labor Government continues to support WA’s creative sector to grow jobs, connect communities and enrich the lives of all Western Australians.”
The Blue Room Theatre building dates back to 1905, with the last major refurbishment completed in 2006. This latest investment forms part of Lotterywest’s $45 million commitment to upgrading arts and cultural infrastructure and spaces across the State, ensuring they remain accessible, inclusive and responsive to community needs.
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Image credit: Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’
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