By Tara Tan, Arts Reporter

Arts groups hunkering down to face the recession next year welcomed the news that the Government is not cutting back on investing in the arts.

They say they are optimistic about the next phase of the Renaissance City Plan, released on Monday by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica).

Some of the major plans include the $180-million refurbishment of the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, the development of arts clusters in the civic business district and an injection of funds to encourage new work.

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