The town at the cross-roads has bright cultural horizons
Port Augusta, the town at the cross-roads of Australia's east and west is to be transformed into a centre of culture. South Australian Arts Minister, John Hill, has named Port Augusta the state's first Regional Centre of Culture under a program managed by Country Arts SA called Port August Re-Imagines.
From next March, Port Augusta will host a year long program of performances, exhibitions, documentary workshops, masterclasses, festivals and forums. There will be at least 50 performances, 19 exhibitions and professional development programs for local teachers.
The program is loosely based on the European Capital of Culture program and a highlight will be in May when the biggest open air concert regional South Australia has ever seen will take place when the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra performs Symphony under the Stars at the Port Augusta Golf Course.
Supporting the events program is $750,000 in state funding and $250,000 from the City of Port Augusta to convert the grand Magistrates Court Building into a visual arts space with the courtyard becoming an outdoor performance area. The adjoining Institute building is being transformed into a 150-seat multi-purpose performing arts theatre and function hall.
Singer, writer and director, Robyn Archer, is the patron of Port August Re-Imagines.
