Have your say on the next phase of the Mildura Arts Centre precinct

Published on 11 June 2019

Sunraysia residents have an opportunity tomorrow night to help shape the next phase of the Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) Master Plan.

A community consultation session will be held at MAC tomorrow night Wednesday 12 June from 6.30pm, where residents can discuss key concepts, developments and priorities they’d like to see at MAC in coming years.

This information will be incorporated into a revised master plan, which will guide the future direction of Mildura’s key arts precinct.

Councillor Mark Eckel said this was a valuable opportunity for the community to be involved during a pivotal point in the MAC story.

“We’ve already seen the benefits to come out of the first phase of the MAC Master Plan, with a new, modern theatre which has helped attract bigger and more prestigious acts to our region, the shared foyer area, which is a popular venue for a wide variety of MAC and community events, and improved connectivity to our art galleries,” Cr Eckel said.

“We’re now set to embark on the next phase of the master plan which promises more exciting developments and possibilities.”

Cr Eckel said given the MAC precinct’s place as a major centre for the arts in Sunraysia, the revised master plan was about much more than just ‘bricks and mortar’.

“Arts and culture are keys to every community’s wellbeing,” he said.

“By creating, improving and building on our arts precinct, which is already something we’re very proud of, we’re providing a raft of opportunities for our community to learn, embrace and immerse themselves in the arts.

“And from an economic standpoint, further developing our arts precinct will provide increased employment opportunities for our community, and the spin-off benefits this brings with it in terms of improved social and economic wellbeing.”

Brief note on the MAC journey

Mildura Arts Centre’s journey started more than 60 years ago with the purchase of what is now known as Rio Vista Historic House, from which MAC has evolved into the cultural hub of our community.

The first major development occurred in 1966 with the development of a dedicated art gallery and theatre.

In 2006, a master plan of cultural facilities was developed to not only meet strategic planning objectives, but provide a pathway for improved and new cultural facilities for our region.

The MAC precinct we see today is the result of the first phase of this master plan, boasting a state-of-art performing arts theatre, regional art gallery, Sculpture Park, licensed café and Mildura’s most important heritage building – Rio Vista Historic House.

Media enquiries  Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]