A project aimed at bringing the city's artists back onto the stage once coronavirus restrictions have been lifted has been handed a $10,000 boost to their funding as they plan to reopen the Griffith Regional Theatre in style.
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Griffith's Social Distan-Sing Project has been given $10,000 in funding from the state government as part of a push to keep the arts running in spite of COVID-19.
The Social Distan-Sing Project has been in the pipeline since March, with project organiser Katherine Innes working in conjunction with the Griffith Regional Theatre to get the program off the ground.
Ms Innes said she was "really excited to see how it all comes together" and at this stage of development, the show will be a two-hour concert.
"It's been going pretty well, we've got groups chugging along," Ms Innes said.
"We've got some big groups and little duos doing rock, pop, musical theatre ... all different uses of technology as well - we've got groups meeting via Zoom, we've got some filming things and editing them together, we've even some planning to wing it on the night."
The performance has also been earmarked as the re-launching point of the Griffith Regional Theatre - with the show to be the first one since the location was forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions.
Griffith Regional Theatre and Art Gallery manager Raina Savage said the funds from the state government will be used to help the project take the stage as well as plan for a re-launch party to celebrate the resumption of performances in the community.
"It just fitted in perfectly with what Katherine wanted to do and what we wanted to do in terms of having a coming out party," Ms Savage said.
"With the restrictions we've had to cancel all of our booked shows up until September, so even with the easing of restrictions we can't suddenly put on a big event with outside people - so it's actually really nice to be able to celebrate with our community as the first cab of the rank.
"It's really inclusive too and I guess that's the other thing that's really exciting about this project - there's all ages and cultural groups and different type of musical genres ... there should be something for everyone."
Ms Savage said the performance will be the first chance the community will be able to use the new improvements which were made to the theatre during the period of lockdown - with new dressing rooms, bathrooms and an amphitheater all part of the upgrade.
"It'll be the beginning of getting back to normal for us," Ms Savage said.
"It'll be the first time we get to use any of those facilities and I think it's nice that it's a community event that the upgrade gets utilised [for]."
Ms Innes said it was exciting to be the first show off the rank at the re-opened theatre and a great way to showcase that the arts community in Griffith is still going strong.
"I think that's really fitting as well, as a community we need to support the arts and support the theatre and show we are still around," Ms Innes said.
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Nationals MLC Wes Fang announced the funding on Wednesday and said the support will help the region's artists continue to provide new and engaging works while restrictions are still in place and allow for projects to launch when things are safe to do so.
"It is excellent to these organisations evolve, taking their art online and to audience's screens in order to connect and continue their practice," Mr Fang said.
"This funding is imperative for our local arts and cultural organisations and the broader community during these challenging times, and I look forward to seeing these projects supported by the NSW Government come to life."
To find out more about the Social Distan-Sing Project, you can visit here.