SYDNEY.- The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Australia and the Blue Mountains City Council today announced a strategic collaboration to bring the contemporary arts direct to the people of the Blue Mountains.

Following last week’s announcement of the MCA redevelopment, the City of Blue Mountains has been identified as the first regional location to partner in the MCA’s new cultural initiative, the National Centre for Creative Learning.

"This is the first time such a collaboration has happened in Australia", said MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor.

"The MCA's National Centre for Creative Learning (NCCL) will use broadband video conferencing to bring tutorials by world class contemporary artists - wherever they are in the world - to students both at the MCA and in our regional nodes across Australia."

"We are very pleased to announce that the planned Blue Mountains Cultural Centre will be the site of first regional node for the NCCL."

"This is an exciting new strategic relationship for the MCA and we are pleased that it is happening with the City of the Blue Mountains, a City within a World Heritage National Park and the first NSW City of the Arts."

"At the MCA we are determined to bring the arts to more and more Australians, wherever they live", said Ms Macgregor.

"Imagine a video conference masterclass with someone like Tracey Moffatt being screened via broadband from her New York studio or here at the NCCL.

"Students and artists in the Blue Mountains will be able to participate along with those here in Sydney at the MCA.”

Blue Mountains City Council Mayor, Adam Searle, said "We are very pleased to have secured this relationship with the MCA. It will bring arts and cultural resources to the Blue Mountains in ways never before seen anywhere in regional Australia."

"It's a two way relationship that will strengthen the commitment of Council and the community to creating a culture of life long learning in the City of Blue Mountains", said Mayor Searle.

"The NCCL's Blue Mountains node will enable the artists of the Blue Mountains to participate in creative learning programs by sharing their knowledge, talent and experience with the MCA, for the benefit of all.

The NCCL will also provide a model for working and learning more sustainably, a key initiative for the future of the City of the Blue Mountains”, Mayor Searle said.

"The MCA is also inviting other local councils throughout Australia to take part in the NCCL regional access program, Ms Macgregor said.