Prime Minister Receives Funding Request To Help Local Arts

Southland arts could be the big winner from the Prime Minister's visit south, if she responds positively to a funding request from Clutha-Southland MP Bill English.

The Prime Minister is in Invercargill today meeting with a number of groups including Greypower.

Bill English has written to the Prime Minister requesting the Government allocate the $150,000 required to complete the Dr John Money Wing at the Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore. The Wing will house the extensive private art collection of Dr John Money.

Mr English said Dr Money has agreed to the idea, community funders are on board and construction is about to commence.

"The Government has injected an extra 85 million dollars into arts funding. We just need $150,000. Each time the Prime Minister has come south she has announced funding for a local project. She is keen on the arts here and gave support to the Dr Money Wing when she opened the Riverdale Arts Festival in July. There are a lot of reasons for her to support my request.

"This is a great chance for the Prime Minister to get some money into the arts in the provinces. As far as I know, none of the extra funding has yet reached them. I hope the Prime Minister will see the John Money Wing as an excellent opportunity to show the provinces won't miss out," Bill English said.

Mr English said he understands the Prime Minister has been invited to open the Dr John Money Wing when it is finished.

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