JOY Burch has announced the five organisations that will share in more than $960,000 in 2015 Key Arts Organisation Funding through the ACT Arts Fund.

“Ausdance ACT, Belconnen Arts Centre, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Megalo Print Studio and Gallery and Warehouse Circus will receive funding through the Key Arts Organisation category,” Joy said.

“I am particularly pleased to announce a significant increase in funding to the Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, in line with the priority of the ACT Arts Policy Framework to further develop arts hubs.

“Increasing this funding from $110,000 per year to $200,000 per year will help continue their valuable work and increase artistic vibrancy, on top of the $2.5 million in capital works being invested across both centres.

“Megalo Print Studio and Gallery will also receive increased funding, from $239,000 to more than $263,000 to support its extended opening hours and demand for visitor services since its move to the Kingston Arts Precinct.

“Warehouse Circus, the only dedicated circus organisation in the ACT, will also benefit from an increase from $72,000 per year to $90,000 in response to strong community demand for its services.”

The Belconnen Arts Centre will retain its current core funding of $322,875 as it consolidates its important place in the Belconnen community, and AusDance will receive $90,000 next year to support services provided to the independent dance sector and to engage a choreographer for the Youth Dance Festival.

Key Arts Organisation funding is for organisations that provide high quality programs, services and or facilities and enable strong access to, and engagement with, the arts in the ACT. For more information, visit www.arts.act.gov.au.