Alice Springs arts hub rebounds from COVID restrictions with robust cultural calendar

The Araluen Arts Centre has bounced back from the pandemic with a significant increase in visitor numbers and an impressive calendar of events.

Visitors and locals alike are now flocking back to the Araluen Arts Centre after two years of enforced restrictions and disruptions.

From March to May 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 response, 1180 people visited Araluen Arts Precinct.

This year, that number has rebounded to almost 5000 visitors across the corresponding three months.

There is an exciting line up of shows, exhibits, festivals and cultural displays booked for the second half of 2022 and now is the perfect time for people to reacquaint themselves with the arts centre which is set in the Araluen Cultural Precinct.

Highlights for the rest of the year include the Beanie Festival; comedians Ross Noble and Bill Bailey; Bangarra Dance Theatre; as well as concerts by Goanna, Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daly, and Ash Grunwald.

Desert Mob is also returning this year, to showcase contemporary Aboriginal art from across the desert regions of Central Australia, South Australia and Western Australia. Events will be held throughout the first two weeks of September.

The boost comes after a disruptive two years when capacity at the theatre was slashed from almost 500 to 150 and booked performances were regularly postponed due to COVID restrictions.

The Araluen Arts Centre was opened in 1984 as the central hub for artistic expression in the Alice Springs community. It includes art galleries, a theatre, café and Arrernte sacred sites.

NT Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chansey Paech notes “It has been such an amazing efforts from the team at Araluen to provide a venue for artists to display their talents to our audiences safely over these past few years.

“Having a robust cultural calendar is essential to the overall health and vibrancy of any community.

“I’m extremely excited about what is to come this year and I can’t wait to get along to some performances.”

Director Araluen Cultural Precinct Felicity Green enthused “It finally feels like we are emerging again and I’m so excited about our line-up for the rest of the year, this place is going to be hopping.

“For the rest of the year we already have 77 individual performances booked that will offer something for everyone.

“I’m really excited to see our local community and visitors from far afield come back and experience what we have to offer after a difficult couple of years.”

For more information on what’s happening, visit araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au/

Image: Concert by Goanna is scheduled. In 2022, Shane Howard, Rose Bygrave, Marcia Howard and Graham Davidge, with special guests, embark on a new journey. Reigniting the Goanna spirit once more and paying homage to their classic songs.