DESIGN of the new Narooma Arts Centre on the community’s School of Arts land is now well underway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Contracts were signed with Canberra-based architects ClarkeKeller in early January.
“We’re working towards one of the most exciting community projects ever seen in Narooma,” School of Arts President Jock Munro said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with ClarkeKeller’s concept for a vibrant regional arts centre that we believe will become a destination in itself.”
The Narooma Arts Centre will front the Princes Highway between the Kinema and Volume Plus, and incorporate galleries and studio-workshops.
ClarkeKeller architect Richmond Henty said the design is still in its early stages.
"I’ve had preliminary talks with planning staff at Eurobodalla Shire Council and am due to meet again soon with the School of Arts consultative panel to work through certain aspects of the design,” he said.
“Our design team at ClarkeKeller is really excited about this community project which will benefit not just Narooma’s arts community but everyone on the south coast for generations to come.”
Mr Munro said a public meeting will be held to discuss the plans with the wider community once the design is a little further advanced.
The need to provide more space and facilities for the arts in Narooma has long been recognised by the School of Arts and Montague Art & Craft Society (MACS), a need also identified in a consultants’ report commissioned by Eurobodalla Shire Council and since supported in principle by Council.
In early 2012, the School of Arts invited a number of architects to submit an expression of interest in designing the new centre in response to an initial design brief.
The brief outlined space, use and amenity requirements. It was the culmination of two years’ consultation with potential user groups and then further intensive consultation with those users whose needs could realistically be met on this site.
The School of Arts committee appointed a panel, chaired by Laurelle Pacey, to assess submissions from architects, resulting in ClarkeKeller’s appointment.
Mr Munro said construction could cost up to $2m, depending on the final design and engineering requirements.
The project also includes some basic improvements to the Memorial Hall (Kinema) to facilitate live theatre, including upgrading the downstairs toilets and dressing rooms.
Mr Munro said the project will be financed by a combination of grants and donations.
These efforts will be assisted by the organisation recently being listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations and the Australian Taxation Office approving the organisation’s public fund being able to receive tax deductible donations.
