TIME is running out for the Newcastle Community Arts Centre. It must find new premises in which to relocate the organisation or face the prospect of closure.
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The future of the community arts centre was thrust into uncertainty when in June 2014 Newcastle City Council voted to sell the Parry Street building in which it has been located for 27 years.
Since then art centre management have been on a search to find a suitable building which can accommodate its portfolio of operations.
“We are remaining positive,” chair of the centre’s board Natalie Engdahl said.
“There’s no point in being negative, we just need to keep pushing. But we have no promises of anything.”
The centre is located in the former St Aloysius school where the classrooms have been converted to studio space in which 40 artists work. Also within the grounds is Tantrum Youth Arts, Trees for Newcastle, the Black Box theatre and the gallery Newcastle Art Space.
Ms Engdahl said the centre was unique to Newcastle.
“I don’t think there is anything else like it,” Ms Engdahl said.
“The collaboration and support we receive from fellow artists is not to be underestimated, and it would be sorely missed if we were to split the centre up in a move.”
Ms Engdahl said the organisation would need to find a suitable location by June in order to allow six months transition into the new space.
Arts centre management have made a submission to Urban Growth outlining a concept which would see Newcastle railway station converted into an arts and culture precinct.
Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she supported the idea of the arts centre relocating to the railway station, but said it could only be a temporary solution.
“It’s not our asset, it’s owned by the state government,” Cr Nelmes said.
Cr Nelmes said she had approached Urban Growth on behalf of the centre and would continue to support their efforts to relocate.
“It’s an important community arts and cultural organisation and I would encourage them not to give up,” she said.
Newcastle councillor Michael Osborne said the decision to sell the Parry Street site was poor planning.
“It is disappointing. I didn’t support it,” Cr Osborne said.
“They will find it hard to find another building and as the city develops we will lose a lot of opportunity for the community.”
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle purchased the arts centre and extended a two year rent free period to the tenants. It said it was considering a number of possible uses to enable expansion of diocesan operations on the site.
