Minister Barr: ACT?s urban renewal agenda continues in Kingston Arts Precinct
- Written by ACT Government
Released 21/06/2015
Joint media release: Andrew Barr MLA and Joy Burch MLA
The ACT Government is taking an exciting step forward in the Kingston Arts Precinct, transforming the area around the Canberra Glassworks into a vibrant, inspirational hub of artistic and creative activity.
Urban renewal is a core priority of the ACT Government and it is vital to growing Canberra’s economy and strengthening our community.
The release of a feasibility study, which outlines space and other requirements for artsACT in the Kingston Arts Precinct, brings the realisation of this project a step closer. I will also make announcements in the next few months about how the Government plans to deliver this exciting project.
“The 2013-14 ACT Budget provided $300,000 to progress the development of the Kingston Arts Precinct, and I am thrilled to release the feasibility study today, which is the latest stage in planning the precinct,” Ms Burch said.
“Part of the ACT Government’s commitment to urban renewal involves the creation of art hubs around our city, where the work of artists and arts organisations is supported, enhanced and promoted. Arts hubs encourage and facilitate the sharing of administration and resources, which increases the capacity for arts activity and programs.
“We want the Kingston Arts Precinct to not only be an arts hub, but also a key cultural destination in Canberra, and we are committed to achieving this vision.”
The feasibility study explored the development of arts centred activities in the precinct which included a functional brief outlining over 7,500 square metres of space for arts organisations, and management models for the Kingston Arts Precinct.
This space includes studios, workshops, galleries, retail, shared and individual office and administration environments, education and training space, meeting rooms and accommodation for visiting artists.
“The Kingston Foreshore area is already home to a number of our city’s leading arts organisations including the Canberra Glassworks and Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, and the highly popular Old Bus Depot Markets, and I am pleased to say that in the future, the Kingston Arts Precinct will transform the Foreshore into a hive of creativity and activity as many of Canberra’s leading visual arts organisations are accommodated there.
Ms Burch released the feasibility study at the Canberra Glassworks Winter Glass Market last night.
“Congratulations must also go to the Canberra Glassworks on the inaugural Winter Glass Market which celebrates glass and glass-making and marks 100 years of the Kingston Powerhouse,” Ms Burch concluded.
The feasibility study is the third major piece of work undertaken for the Kingston Arts Precinct. It builds on the work of the Kingston Arts Precinct Strategy which was released in 2011 and the Kingston Section 49 Master Plan, released in May 2014.
The feasibility study can be downloaded from the artsACT website at www.arts.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
