Our goal is to build and sustain meaningful relationships with individuals, groups and organisations across our region to advance inclusivity, diversity, access and opportunity. Through these partnerships, we develop specific arts-based programs, offer subsidised community rates, and provide event support for the use of our spaces.
The Disability Trust
Proud partners since 2006, we collaborate on theatre workshops and biennial productions for the Trust’s Sport and Recreation program, and provide work experience and employment opportunities for people with disability.
For more information on their programs, visit The Disability Trust website
Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
We help create opportunities for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to engage with the theatre, provide recruitment opportunities and artist connection.
Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation
Our partnership delivers culturally appropriate programs with First Nations communities to strengthen Aboriginal identity, pride and self-determination.
University of Wollongong
We host interns, providing hands-on arts experience to support career development.
South Coast Writers' Centre
The South Coast Writers Centre is a membership-based, not-for-profit organisation that supports writers of all stages via its program of creative events and professional development, and to promote the South Coast’s emerging and established writers through the development of audiences. Merrigong has partnered with SCWC to provide venue support for their Young Writers Program, and Live and Local, a satellite event of the Sydney Writers Festival. SCWC also supports Merrigong Theatre and The Drama Studios’ Young Playwrights Program.
Beyond Empathy
Beyond Empathy is a team of artists, mentors, community workers, local practitioners and leaders who form creative relationships with communities and individuals in need.
Guided by their vision, Beyond Empathy strives for a compassionate and resilient society in which creativity is at the forefront of driving change.
Merrigong and Beyond Empathy partnered to present the Blue Rose installation, a project created with people of diverse abilities and their families, highlighting the experience of those who do not use verbal language as their primary way to communicate.
The result was an immersive installation which enabled visitors to play with shadow and light and create visual echoes as they walked through interactive projections. People of all ages and abilities enjoyed making music through movement, travelling in a virtual cockpit, and relaxing in a sensory cocoon. This installation challenged prejudice and highlight issues of access and concerns regarding service delivery.
Women Illawarra
Our partnership offers women and their children who have been affected by domestic violence a safe and supported opportunity to engage and participate in the theatre and the broader community.
Accessible Arts
Each year we are proud to work closely with Accessible Arts as part of The Next Level Creative Mentorship Program. This program provides artists with disability or who are d/Deaf with access to a mentorship within a leading performing arts organisation to develop an innovative new project with professional and development outcomes.
MERRIGONGX Artists’ Wellbeing Program
We provide innovative support for local artists, facilitating a long-term shift in industry practices towards prioritising artists wellbeing alongside artistic excellence. Through mentoring and skills development workshops, this program builds holistic support networks and a strong local artist community.