Theatre Royal is receiving $45,000 from the Federal Governments Revive Live program to host a First Nations live music series, going towards artist fees, marketing and production costs.
This builds upon previous funding released from Revive Live of just under $56,000 which partly funded 10 performances of Australian Artists as well as expanding accessibility through part funding of a wheelchair lift.
Through the Revive Live program the Albanese Labor Government has approved $11.6 million of funding to 105 organisations across Australia.
The funding ensures music venues and festivals remain open and accessible to all audiences.
Established in the 2024-25 Budget, Revive Live aligns with the Albanese Labor Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, which recognises the Australian music sector as a vibrant part of our arts and cultural landscape.
Through Revive, the Government last year established Music Australia within Creative Australia, with new funding of more than $69 million to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry to increase discoverability and develop markets and audiences.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:
“I want to congratulate the Theatre Royal for their ongoing contribution to our local music scene who continue to bring a range of diverse artists to the region.
“Our Government is supporting their efforts by investing in venue accessibility as well as helping them to host a First Nations live music series.
“Music lovers should be able to enjoy local gigs, artists should be able to make a career out of their music and Revive Live is doing just that.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO GREG BENNETT OWNER THEATRE ROYAL:
“In 2026 the Revive Live grant will allow us to focus on programming Indigenous Australian artists, who haven't been able to play in Castlemaine before because of travel costs.
“Many of these performers live remotely and touring for them is an increasing expense. We are very excited to program these artists and look forward to revealing some of these exciting names soon. To kick start the Revive Live program, Baker Boy is headlining a show at Theatre Royal on April 16th.
“Theatre Royal Castlemaine is grateful for the Federal Government's support for the arts in our regional town and the benefits to our strong, music loving community are wide ranging."
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO TIM HEATH MANAGER OF MUSIC PROGRAMMING:
"We are very pleased to have received two Revive Live grants from the Federal Government. The grant money has allowed us to program artists such as CW Stoneking, Bumpy, HTRK, Sycco and Mo'Ju in 2025 and purchase a wheelchair lift.
“Having a permanent wheelchair lift in the Theatre Royal allows us to program artists in a more inclusive way, by booking artists with a disability. The versatile venue also has many community events, where we love to see everyone in the community supported and represented, so to have the stage accessible to everyone, has been a long held dream.”
