$30m for Miami cultural centre

A new cultural centre being established in Miami has received a $30 million founding boost.

The Miami Performing Arts Centre has been provided with the money to improve its services to the local community and visitors to Miami.

Part of the funding has been provided by the Carnival Corporation, which has donated over $10 million in grants to the project, which will see the building renamed as the Carnival Centre for the Performing Arts.

Meanwhile, the Knight Foundation has also provided money for the building and will have the main concert hall renamed the Knight Concert Hall.

"This new complex has been the catalyst for the most phenomenal transformation of an urban downtown since Lincoln Centre caused a revival of New York's Upper West Side," commented Alberto Ibarguen, president of the Knight Foundation.

"And in the region, it will augment Miami's reputation as a world-class cultural destination," he added.

Among upcoming performances at the centre include Woody Allen in performance with the New Orleans Jazz Band, Whoopi Goldberg's version of Alice in Wonderland and Tomlin's one-woman show.