Contemporary multi-arts institution Carriageworks will double in size this month by adding an additional 5,000 square metres to its existing premises in Sydney’s Redfern.
The announcement follows two years of strong growth in audience numbers and an extraordinary public response to its artistic program that saw a doubling of attendances from 2011 to 2012 and has the institution on track to double attendances again in 2013 to 400,000 people.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, said the expansion was great news for Sydney’s arts and cultural, and events industries with Carriageworks adding an additional 5,000 square metres to its existing premises.
“This expansion will support the NSW Government’s actions in promoting the State through major events,” said Mr Souris.
“A number of events are already held at Carriageworks each year including several that are part of our major festival programs such as Sydney Festival. This new lease will provide Carriageworks with the space to expand its capacity to present large-scale contemporary artistic programs at the precinct.”
Mr Souris said Carriageworks signed a 12-month lease with the NSW Government, commencing on 1 August 2013.
“Carriageworks has a successful track record in securing arts and commercial events. The NSW Government is pleased that Carriageworks will use this additional space while Arts NSW develops plans for its longer-term occupancy.”
” The first big international event that will make use of the space will be the inaugural Sydney Contemporary, a major new biennial contemporary art fair in September.”
Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah said: “This physical and commercial growth establishes Carriageworks as a major cultural precinct for Sydney – one that programs to reflect the social and cultural demographic of Sydney and focuses on supporting contemporary urban Aboriginal practice.”
“This new space is an exciting opportunity for Carriageworks to continue to respond to the appetite that its audiences have for immersive high quality artistic experiences.”
Carriageworks has become famous for delivering acclaimed international projects such as Song Dong’s Waste Not and Brook Andrew’s major commission Traveling Colony as well as supporting the development of local NSW artists across a range of disciplines.
This expansion will allow Carriageworks to further extend its artistic programming, build upon its major event focus and support the creative industries in an exciting new plan for growth over the next 12 months.
The first major international event to be held in the new Carriageworks space this September will be the inaugural Sydney Contemporary, a major new biennial contemporary art fair.
Carriageworks is a principal partner of Sydney Contemporary, that will present more than 80 Australian and international galleries including curated installation and video exhibitions and a dynamic talks program over the course of a three-day event from Friday 19 September until Sunday 21 September.
Sydney Contemporary is expected to attract both local art lovers and international curators, artists and collectors to Carriageworks.
Carriageworks has recorded strong growth in audience numbers this year with 42,000 people visiting Japanese audio-visual artist Ryoji Ikeda’s installation and concerts throughout June and 56,000 people attending the renowned Beijing-based artist Song Dong’s exhibition that was part of the Sydney Festival program in January 2013.
For more information, visit: www.carriageworks.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Carriageworks
