Curtain going up on Q Theatre

New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Presiding Member Rick Barker today announced a grant of up to $6 million from the Lottery Significant Project Fund to the Q Theatre Trust. The funding will enable the completion of a new theatre venue in the heart of Auckland.

A $21 million venue, the Q Theatre will include a flexible main auditorium seating 350 to 460 people, as well as a studio space with seating for 100. The new facility will also provide a rehearsal room, café and bar, front-of-house facilities and office space.

Rick Barker said the new venue would benefit Auckland’s theatre community and the rest of New Zealand.

“A strategically positioned touring venue will make it easier to attract and tour international and domestic theatrical productions. Q Theatre will become a gateway venue for productions touring New Zealand.

“The new theatre will have strong links to the country’s civic and artistic life. It will provide a gathering place, act as a hub for the performing arts in Auckland and cater for a wide range of art forms and audiences.”

Although Auckland City Council has contributed funding of $9.2 million and local efforts have raised an additional $4.45 million, the project could not have been completed without Lottery funding assistance.

The Lottery Significant Project Fund provides opportunities for the development of projects that are of benefit at the wider community, regional or national level.

The Fund is for projects that have received funding from other sources, including the community, but are still unable to raise sufficient money to complete the project.

Funding is for capital expenditure to completion of projects costing at least $1 million in total.

Projects must contribute to one or more of the outcome areas of arts, culture and heritage, sport and recreation, conservation and the environment.

The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board has allocated $16 million for distribution to significant projects in 2008/09.

Projects were assessed and will meet good practice project management, governance and financial sustainability standards and requirements.

Funding decisions are made by the Lottery Significant Projects Distribution Committee.

Lottery funds come from the profits of the NZ Lotteries Commission. The Lottery Grants Board is an independent decision making body. It sets policy and allocates funds to be distributed by Distribution Committees.

For more information on Lottery grants see www.dia.govt. nz or www.cdgo.govt.nz.