With the funding, members and friends of the historic Armidale Playhouse will start an extensive refurbishment program intended to bring the currently unused building back to life as a small, intimate space for independent productions.

Armidale Playhouse President David Trestrail said the arts community were delighted at the opportunity to start “reclaiming our own space”.

“We need a performance space that we own, so we can put on small theatrical productions, or host live music, without incurring hefty fees,” Mr Trestrail said.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the community could start on an extensive overhaul of the Armidale Playhouse following the funding.

“One of Armidale’s great attributes is that it is chock-full of artistic talent, but currently the local theatre and musical communities have no space to work in that doesn’t involve large fees,” Mr Marshall said.

The Playhouse has been hosting local theatre productions since 1965, but in recent years has been left unused because maintenance had not been kept up, Mr Marshall said.

“These funds will help bring the Playhouse’s facilities up to date, with the installation of new toilet facilities, including a disabled toilet, and the demolition of the old asbestos-lined facilities,” he said.