Ministry reinstates LEOTC funding

Dunedin (Monday, 21 December 2015) – The Ministry of Education has agreed to keep funding arts education programmes for school children at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

The Ministry of Education recently advised the Dunedin City Council the Gallery’s current Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) contract, worth $55,000 a year, would not be renewed for 2016.

However, the DCC received confirmation on Friday that the contract funding has been reinstated for another three years.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “We’re delighted the Ministry has reviewed its decision and agreed to continue to fund this important and very popular programme.

“We would also like to acknowledge the huge amount of support the Gallery and its Educator received from schools and the wider community over this issue.”

The Gallery has held LEOTC contracts since 1997 and teaches 7000 to 8000 students on site every year, well in excess of the 6000 required by the contract.

Gallery Director Cam McCracken has said previously the programme was always fully booked and the Gallery received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and parents.

The programme caters for primary and secondary school students from Dunedin and other parts of Otago.

ENDS

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