A New Stage for Creativity: Moresby Arts Theatre Launches New Facility

On Friday, 12 September 2025, the curtain rose not on a play, but on a milestone moment for Papua New Guinea’s creative community. The Moresby Arts Theatre (MAT) proudly unveiled its brand-new multipurpose hall—a transformative addition to one of the nation’s most cherished cultural institutions.

From left: Member for Moresby Northwest Lohia Boe Samuel, Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Belden Namah, Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ewen McDonald and President of the MAT Bob Stanley launching the new multipurpose hall.

This achievement was made possible through the generosity and vision of the Australian Government’s Incentive Fund, which committed more than PGK 11 million to a wide-ranging upgrade of MAT’s facilities. Their support has not only gifted MAT with a modern rehearsal and lecture hall, but also strengthened the very foundations of the theatre itself—upgrading sound and lighting infrastructure, refurbishing the beloved “Pottery Barn,” improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and ensuring accessibility for all with ramps and disability-friendly amenities.

The launch event was a fitting celebration of community and partnership. In attendance were representatives of the Australian Incentive Fund, Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Belden Namah, the Australian High Commission to PNG Ewen McDonald and Lohia Boe Samuel, alongside MAT members and friends of the theatre who have carried its torch for decades. Together, they marked a new era for this cultural hub that has, since 1914, nurtured countless performers, artists, and audiences.

The new hall will serve not only as a space for rehearsals and lectures, but also as a platform for education, training, and community gatherings. It represents inclusivity, ensuring that young people, women, and people living with disabilities can all take part in the arts on equal footing.

Theatre is about more than performance—it is about voice, identity, and connection. With these upgrades, MAT is now better equipped to give stage to the stories of Papua New Guinea, to elevate local talent, and to provide a place where creativity can flourish for generations to come.

The launch of the multipurpose hall is a bold reminder that when partnerships come together—between governments, institutions, and communities—the arts do not just survive, they thrive. And as the applause rang out at the launch, one thing was clear: the Moresby Arts Theatre has entered its next act, brighter, stronger, and more inclusive than ever before.