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The Western Australian Government is to reclaim the direct management of Perth's major theatres announcing that the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) will manage the operations of Perth's His Majesty’s Theatre, the State Theatre Centre, Perth Concert Hall and Subiaco Arts Centre from 1st January 2015. 

After 15 years of private sector management, the PTT will directly manage its venues when its contract with venue manager AEG Ogden expires at the end of this year.

The move follows an independent review of the venues' management conducted by management consultants Pracsys last year. Following the review, the Western Australian Government extended venue managers AEG Ogden's management of PTT's major venues for an extra six months from mid 2014 while it considered future management options.

Western Australian Culture and the Arts Minister John Day and PTT Trust Chairman Peter Blaxell said 'in-house' management from would benefit theatregoers and producers.

Minister Day explained “much has changed for the arts in the 15 years since the agreement with AEG Ogden (Perth) Pty Ltd was established. The number and quality of our venues has increased, as has the number of resident arts companies.

“The return of the Perth Theatre Trust as the operator of these venues will enhance the trust’s working relationship with its key stakeholder, the performing arts sector, creating a closer business partnership with resident companies and venue hirers. 

“It will also provide the opportunity to increase the quantity and diversity of the performances on offer at these venues, ensuring the spaces are activated for key events such as Fringe and the Perth International Arts Festival." 

Blaxell told The West Australian newspaper that about $1 million of the Western Australian Government's $9 million annual venues subsidy could be freed each year to program more shows and to help fix heritage-listed venues.

Blaxell stated "we need to get more activity out of the subsidy we get and we intend to do that." 

Commenting on the Pracsys recommendations, Minister Day added "the model that has been reinstituted is the model that exists for the major public venues in Sydney, Melbourne Adelaide and Brisbane."

The Minister confirmed it was business as usual at all venues and the transition phase would not impact ticketing and scheduled shows and also thanked AEG (Ogden) for their work, concluding “I thank the staff at AEG Ogden (Perth) for their service and commitment to the trust and the performing arts sector.” 

Under the new management model, food and beverage services at the venues will remain outsourced, with the PTT to soon begin a catering tender process.

The Western Australian Government has also committed to manage the Albany Entertainment Centre for an additional year until 30th June 2015 with the PTT to continue to work with the City of Albany on the long-term management options for the venue.

The Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) is a statutory authority established under the Perth Theatre Trust Act 1979

Click here to visit the PTT website. 

25th February 2014 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ENTERTAINMENT VENUES 'IN LIMBO'

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19th August 2013 - PERTH NEEDS MASSIVE INCREASE IN PERFORMING ARTS VENUES TO MEET AUDIENCE DEMAND

9th May 2013 - PERTH THEATRE TRUST RELEASES NEW DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN

28th April 2013 - STATE THEATRE CENTRE AT FOREFRONT OF PERTH’S GOLDEN AGE OF ARTS

2nd September 2011 - AEG OGDEN CONFIRMED AS PERTH ARENA OPERATOR

14th September 2010 - HIGH-POWERED ARTS LOBBY FOR WA

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