Lead architect sought for Tamworth’s $128 million arts and cultural precinct

Tamworth Regional Council recently voted to engage a lead architect to develop the functional and technical design brief for the $128 million Tamworth Performing Arts Centre and Cultural Precinct which is due to begin construction in 2022.

Council hopes the precinct will build on the town’s international reputation as the Australian capital of country music and as a tourism hotspot.

The new Performing Arts Centre and Cultural Precinct will include a 600-seat main theatre, 200-seat studio theatre, 100-seat recital room, 200-seat function room, amphitheatre, event plaza, recording studio, café, studios for ABC New England North West and teaching studios and facilities for the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music.

The adjacent library and art gallery will be expanded as part of the project.

The proposal for the new precinct was first initiated in 2017, with the detailed concept design, capital cost estimates and business operating budget prepared by William Ross Architects receiving approval in 2019.

Committed to providing arts and cultural facilities that meet the needs of the community, Tamworth Regional Council had leased the Capitol Theatre in 2008 to serve as the town’s performing arts venue. The lease for the Capitol Theatre is due to expire in 2023.

Tamworth Regional Council states “The Capitol has proved that a live theatre is crucial to the cultural fabric of the city and region. It has delivered positive social and economic outcomes but has some constraints with what it can deliver. We now look towards planning a community-owned asset that can support the growth of our region's cultural and social offering as well as help attract new residents and professionals and be a drawcard for visitors."

According to the Council, the new dedicated performing arts centre co-located with the existing Tamworth Library and Tamworth Regional Gallery will deliver a cultural precinct that meets the needs of the Tamworth community and greater region for the next 50 years and beyond, creating a community asset for the future.

The site for the new performing arts centre is located at 468 - 474 Peel Street, Tamworth.