Minister for the arts Senator George Brandis has recently announced $1.28 million in continued funding for the Bell Shakespeare’s education program.
“I have re-committed $320,000 a year over the next four years to support Bell Shakespeare in continuing to deliver its unique education program. This contribution will help Bell Shakespeare to leverage additional philanthropic and corporate support.” Senator Brandis commented.
Senator Brandis went on to explain that since 2008, this program has introduced more than half a million students across Australia, including in regional and remote areas, to the joy of theatre and, in particular, to the incomparable glories of William Shakespeare as well as other great dramatists.
Brandis pointed out that the funding is supported through existing appropriations to the Ministry for the Arts. It will assist with hiring arts educators, conducting school performance tours and student master classes, providing subsidised theatre tickets to disadvantaged schools, developing high-quality digital and online resources and implementing a new teacher mentorship program. Adding that students participating in Bell Shakespeare’s education program have demonstrated increased innovation, higher levels of self-expression and creativity, improved behaviour and better attitudes towards studying English.