Port Macquarie Hastings' premier art and cultural centre, the Glasshouse, will be moving forward into 2027 with a confirmed sponsor, huge education program that will benefit students and children across the region and potentially a new four-year-plan that will be taken to Council next week.
On Thursday, Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) announced that Coastline Bank would continue its support of local arts and creative experiences for young people by renewing its sponsorship as Principal Partner of the Education @ Glasshouse program for the next three years.
The hugely popular program, which delivers curriculum-aligned arts and theatre experiences for young people from pre-school to year 12, involved more than 6,500 children and students across three local government areas in 2026.
Mayor Adam Roberts said the education program provided a valuable contribution to life-long learning, community connection and regional identity as part of the Glasshouse's annual line-up.
"We are lucky to have such a fantastic regional arts and cultural centre like the Glasshouse which provides creative opportunities for our local children and students to enjoy and learn from as both audience members and artists," Mayor Roberts said.
"The Glasshouse is a public, cultural facility and its purpose is to serve the community and what better way is there than by giving young people this type of exposure to the arts that they may not ordinarily get in regional NSW."
Next year's program is packed with variety for young people of all ages and includes ABC's Playschool live on stage, Immersive Drama Workshop by Australian Theatre for Young People, local artist connection with the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show featuring 75 puppets.
Bec Washington, Glasshouse Performing Arts Curator, added that national and international research found multiple benefit of an "arts-rich education from an early age".
"Over and above the obvious development of individual creativity and self-expression, school-based arts participation can increase confidence and motivation, academic outcomes and the wellbeing and life skills of children and young people," Ms Washington added.
At next week's November meeting, Council will consider the new Glasshouse Plan 2026-2030 that has been under development since the Strategic Review was completed in March this year.
The plan includes four outcomes connecting the strategic review to action:
- Broader participation and strong community value
- More active and effectively used venue
- A stronger commercial contribution
- A safe, reliable and well-managed venue
Michael Cosgrove, PMHC's Group Manager Commercial Services, said the focus of the four-year plan "remains on the Glasshouse having a core community role".
"While encouraging and increasing public participation is the priority, the strategic review helped us analyse where we could strengthen the utilisation of our assets, such as the bar, gift shop, catering, meeting rooms and venue hire," he said.
"Making an overall profit is not the purpose of the Glasshouse. The aim is to deliver valued community services efficiently, supported by commercial income and an affordable council contribution."
"Giving our local and regional communities access to high-quality arts, cultural and entertainment experiences is what the Glasshouse does best."
