Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ewen McDonald recently joined Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Hon Belden Namah MP, Moresby North-West MP Lohia Boe Samuel and Moresby Arts Theatre President Bob Stanley to open the upgraded Moresby Arts Centre (MAC) which was funded by Australia’s Incentive Fund, though a grant of PGK11.3 million.
The ’facelift’ includes a new rehearsal and lecture hall, improvements to the center’s production facilities and better water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) amenities.
High Commissioner McDonald said the redevelopment would enable a new generation of artists to tell PNG’s story.
“We are proud to support this redevelopment through the Incentive Fund, in close partnership with the Government of PNG. We have a longstanding partnership supporting artistic collaboration and cultural exchange, honoring the legacy of creative and cultural connections between First Nations Peoples of our two lands that stretch back over 65,000 years.”
Established in 1912, the Moresby Arts Theatre continues to support the arts industry in PNG and ensures the preservation of PNG’s unique, diverse and contemporary culture through the art of storytelling, music and dance.
“I want to thank the Australian Government for giving us a new look and feel that will take us into the future. We look forward to the performing arts being an ever more recognized and important part of a flourishing partnership between the two nations,” Moresby Arts Centre President Bob Stanley said.
“The new and upgraded facilities will enable MAT to implement its expanding arts education programs including the Youth Arts Program, production and technical training, drama classes, and craft/pottery classes. Young people will be able to increasingly participate in the life of the theatre including shows, craft markets, club night performances and movie nights,” Mr Stanley added.
The Moresby Arts Centre redevelopment is part of Australia’s Incentive Fund (2023–2031) that provides competitive grants for small-scale infrastructure valued between PGK3 million and PGK15 million.
The Incentive Fund is governed by a Board of five prominent Papua New Guinean directors, alongside senior representatives Papua New Guinea’s Department of National Planning and Monitoring and the Australian High Commission.
With a total investment of PGK406 million (AUD150 million), the current phase builds on more than two decades of partnership, during which over 80 projects have been delivered in every province of PNG.
Australia is proud to be supporting Papua New Guinea to increase access to high quality performing arts, arts education, theatre and events for the wider community, including students, youth, women and girls and people with disabilities through the Australia’s Incentive Fund.