Arts Precincts

At a capital city level AMPAG companies based in Melbourne were involved in plans to create an expanded arts precinct south of the Yarra. This has resulted in the new MTC Theatre and the Melbourne Recital Centre which hosts the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Musica Viva, among others.

In Perth the new State Theatre at Northbridge opened in January 2011. It houses Black Swan State Theatre Company and also hosts seasons of contemporary dance by the West Australia Ballet. The building complements the other cultural facilities nearby including the State Library and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

AMPAG has been lobbying the NSW Government about creating a dedicated arts and cultural space at Wharf 2/3 in Walsh Bay which will enhance existing activities in the area. Companies located in and near Walsh Bay want to create a vibrant arts precinct in the area. In 2010 they held a successful Arts Open Day in Wharf 4/5 (home of Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra, Sydney Dance Company and others) which was attended by over 9000 people.

The 2011 independent review of Sydney’s cultural facilities, Planning Sydney’s Cultural Facilities, commissioned jointly by the NSW Government and the City of Sydney, argued strongly that the development of Barangaroo/ Walsh Bay as a cultural precinct should be 'of the utmost priority'. It also argued for the retention of 100 per cent of the space available at Pier 2/3 for cultural purposes, ‘given the potentially crucial role that the development of Pier2/3 can play in addressing a number of the gaps identified and in the creation of a major cultural precinct for Sydney’.

For more information about community development programs, see Building Stronger Communities.