Event cancellations sees Sydney's Carriageworks calling in of administrators

Sydney cultural centre Carriageworks has been forced to call in administrators as a result of the cancellation of dozens of events due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The company and venue, known for its live performances and art exhibits, announced it had called in voluntary administrators KPMG on this evening (Monday 4th May).

In a statement the organisation said 75% of its revenue was generated outside of government funding, mainly through onsite events and programs.

The statement advised "the sudden cancellation or postponement of six months of activities due to restrictions on public gatherings has resulted in an irreparable loss of income."

Carriageworks, which is one of the largest contemporary multi-arts centres in Australia, is among a swathe of arts organisations across the country that have felt the pressure under Coronavirus restrictions.

Since March, major events including the Sydney Writers' Festival, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia and the design event Semi Permanent, part of the VIVID program, have all been cancelled or postponed.

Advising that the organisation would usually attract one million visitors a year to its site in Redfern and up to 5,000 people to its weekend Farmers Market, Carriageworks Chief Executive, Blair French stated "with restrictions on social gatherings likely to remain in place for some time to come, the Board determined that it had no alternative but to place the company into Voluntary Administration.

Explaining that almost half of the precinct's core staff had been stood down, with those remaining to move to a three-day week in recent weeks, French added "focusing on essential work only we have been striving to find a way through the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown."

On Monday the organisation appointed Phil Quinlan and Morgan Kelly from accounting firm, KPMG, as Voluntary Administrators.

The NSW Government has yet to announce any form of package to support organisations impacted by the Coronavirus crisis.

Image shows artists' studios at Sydney's Carriageworks.