Fed: Bell Shakespeare Co. gets $1million for regional education

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2007
Fed: Bell Shakespeare Co. gets $1million for regional education

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - The Bell Shakespeare Company has been given $1 million to expand
its education program throughout regional Australia.

The government grant will better equip the acclaimed touring theatre company's face-to-face
workshops and provide additional resources for teachers to bring the words of Shakespeare
into a contemporary context for students.

It was announced at the Sydney Opera House today by the federal Minister for Education,
Science and Training, Julie Bishop.

She said such programs challenged students to attain higher standards of literacy,
understand the rich diversity of the English language and investigate the timeless themes
of humanity explored by the Bard.

Bell Shakespeare will now be able to visit a minimum of 70 regional schools classified
under the Country Areas Program (CAP) next year.

The company's founder, John Bell, said he was "uplifted" by the government support.

The students and teachers of regional Australia would be those to benefit most from the
funding.

"Bell Shakespeare has actively built a national program of excellence in Shakespeare
and education over the past 17 years," he said.

The company will attempt to match the government's contribution with donations from
the private sector.

AAP mdg/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: SHAKESPEARE

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