Funding secured to keep Hopgood Theatre curtains open for 12 months, long-term future remains unclear
THE shows will go on at an embattled southern suburbs theatre for at least another 12 months after the venue was handed a funding lifeline by the State Government.
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THE embattled Hopgood Theatre has been thrown a lifeline after it secured funding for another 12 months.
Skills and Innovation Minister David Pisoni said the State Government would use that time to work on a “transition plan” to stop the venue from closing its doors.
Country Arts SA, which runs the theatre at Noarlunga TAFE, has been unable to negotiate its usual State Government funding as part of a new five-year agreement.
It costs about $200,000 a year to run the venue.
It remains unclear why the government did not offer Country Arts SA full funding, nor if the Hopgood Theatre can taking bookings after 12 months.
Skills and Innovation Minister David Pisoni said the government would work with other organisations to keep the theatre open.
“I have met with Country Arts SA to discuss the future of the Hopgood Theatre,” Mr Pisoni said.
“The State Government has extended operational funding to support the Hopgood Theatre over the next 12 months while a transition plan is implemented.
“We will work with Education and TAFE SA, in line with broader negotiations with the Onkaparinga Council, to ensure the local arts community does not lose the capacity that this venue offers.”
The Southern Times Messenger reported earlier this week that ‘70s pop star Mark Holden and the arts community across South Australia had upped the fight to stop the curtain closing on the Hopgood Theatre.
They said the theatre is a vital part of the south, is rich in history and provides local groups a large performance venue, without having to travel into the city.
Thousands of people signed a petition urging the government to keep the venue open.
Country Arts SA chief executive Steve Saffell was happy the Hopgood Theatre had received enough funding to operate for the next 12 months.
“A lot of people have been working really hard to make this happen,” Mr Saffell said.
However, Save The Hopgood Theatre Group leader Harry Dewar – who runs youth group Squadron of Fools from the venue – was unhappy with the deal.
He wanted Country Arts SA to continue managing the theatre.
“The venue, expertise and passion which underpins Country Arts management of the Hopgood Theatre results in superb outcomes for the community and artists,” Mr Dewar said.
“It is widely regarded as a model of excellence within the arts and enormous value for money.
“Why would you dismantle that?”
Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said the council would continue to advocate for the theatre’s continued operation.
“Given that this is a state government building and therefore a state government issue we will continue to advocate for the theatre’s continued operation,” Ms Rosenberg said.
“I wrote to Premier Marshall to reinforce how important the theatre is to Southern Adelaide and to ask that he and the state government address the funding shortfall.”