Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Theatre and Art Gallery of Ballarat were among the big winners of a $10 million regional Victoria art galleries and performing arts centre investment announced on Wednesday.

One of Australia’s oldest purpose-built theatres, Her Majesty’s Theatre received $50,000 to create an interactive audio experience to help primary school students explore the history of the building.

Her Majesty's Theatre manager Graeme Russell said the Creative Victoria’s Regional Partnerships program grant meant the interactive program was a step closer to fruition.

He said the concept of the interactive piece, which is due to be trialed at next year’s Heritage Weekend, will be delivered through radio headphones to primary school pupils to help them engage with the history.

“We currently have a lot of knowledge of the history of the building and we don’t want to lose that knowledge,” Mr Russell said.

“But it’s about doing it in a contemporary way.”

Describing the experience as a “technology treasure hunt”, Mr Russell said it was intended to be a stand alone learning experience without it feeling like the pupils are learning.

Designed for class-sized groups from both local and visiting primary schools, he said there was also potential to alter the story for secondary school students and also utilise it at more historic venues around the city.

“There is a lot of broader scope.”

The grant will cover a third of the cost to implement the project with sponsorships currently being sought to help fund the remainder.

The theatre is also looking for local schools to partner in the program and help ensure their are links to the current curriculum. 

The Art Gallery of Ballarat also received $30,000 to help implement a program of workshops for parents and young children.

Art Gallery of Ballarat marketing and public programs officer Peter Freund said the new program, which will be delivered by local artists and educators, will be targeted at local parents, playgroups and kindergartens in the region.

“We really want to get kids in to get familiar with the gallery and for them to know it’s an enjoyable place,” he said.

He said the program will also be aimed at young parents who are looking to connect with other parents and be involved in the broader community.

Young mum Janelle Ryan said the opportunity gave young parents who are interested in art a chance to enjoy their interest with their children, something she says isn’t normally available to them.

“As a mum I think it’s important to inform children about arts at a young age,” she said.

“This program allows you to bring your children to the gallery, as someone interested in art it’s not something you would normally do.”

The programs will be run by educator Kellie Maddaford, who said the program for young parents will offer mothers like Janelle a chance to bring their children to the gallery while building their knowledge of current collections and getting involved in discussions.

She said the programs for children will primarily involve making artwork, with a focus on creating art with carers.

The program will be open for bookings in term four.

Over the next three years the two venues will receive more than $800,000 as part of the Creative Victoria’s Regional Partnerships program to support professional programming and operations.