Clover Moore Opens Five-Storey Creative Centre In Sydney

A spectacular new five-storey arts rehearsal and production centre in downtown Sydney has opened to artists and creative organisations.

The City of Sydney Creative Studios features 30 spaces including an expansive rehearsal area, recording and editing suites, visual art studios, workshops, screening rooms and offices. It’s also home to an artist-in-residence apartment and a café.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the studios would not only provide additional cultural buzz in the city centre, but also contribute to the creative community’s recovery from the pandemic.

“The live performing arts and cultural sectors were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with curtains drawn and venues closed as soon as we experienced our first cases of COVID-19,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We’re excited to offer 30 brand new rehearsal and production spaces to Sydney’s talented artistic community. It’s another way the City is helping creatives back onto their feet.

“From musical theatre groups, dancers and bands to filmmakers, creative organisations and artists, I can’t wait to see City of Sydney Creative Studios draw more brilliant artists and their stunning creations into the heart of the city.”

Features of the new Creative Centre

• two large double-height rehearsal spaces with sprung timber floors for dancers and other performers.
• five soundproof recording and rehearsal studios for musicians.
• production and editing suites for filmmakers and new media artists.
• wet-dry creative studios for visual artists.
• an artist-in-residence apartment with an attached creative studio.
• administration and meeting spaces, dressing rooms and storerooms.
• a café in the lobby.

An overwhelming response from artists and creative organisations means all offices have been leased and available tenancies have been allocated.

The centre is the result of a voluntary planning agreement between the City of Sydney and developer Greenland Australia. The City of Sydney has signed a 99-year lease for the creative studios and engaged Brand X to operate the facility for a three-year term.

The 2,000 square metre centre is in the heart of the city at 119 Bathurst Street.