MANDURAH Performing Arts Centre has requested an increased subsidy from Mandurah City Council after running at a staggering $300,000 loss last financial year.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
A special council meeting on Monday night voted to increase the subsidy for this year’s next budget to $500,000, up from last year’s $478,000.
“There is no venue [like this] in Australia that operates subsidy free,” City chief executive Mark Newman said.
“If we’re looking at that [making a profit] we should shut the doors now.”
Mr Newman said the aim was to reduce the deficit and encourage more people to support the venue.
“I think it’s a pretty good asset to this community; our number one asset,” Mr Newman said.
The past year saw the centre host many ‘arty’ and ‘fringe’ style shows which were not as popular as expected.
Shows are booked up to two years in advance, so any changes to the schedule took a long time to come into effect, City financial services manager David Prattent said.
Councillor Gary Brown, who supported the increase, said the centre was a great asset having “just as much trouble as other businesses”.
“My wife is trying to drag me along to the Russian ballet and I suppose we should all do our bit,” he joked.
The Mandurah centre recently won the 2013 Drovers Award, a recognition of the behind-the-scenes efforts of its staff.
It was one of four finalists nationally and the first Western Australian centre to win the award.