New creative centre opens in Sydney for artists and organisations  

A new 2,000 square metre, five-storey arts rehearsal and production centre has opened to artists and creative organisations in the heart of Sydney at 119 Bathurst Street.

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.

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.

Operated by Brand X - one of Sydney’s leading providers of affordable space for artists - the creative studios feature:

• 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.

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.”

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

“Sydney’s rising property prices, the transformation of former industrial areas and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic have really hurt our cultural life,” the Lord Mayor said.

“But we want Sydney to be known for its world-class cultural offerings and need to provide affordable space for that talent to flourish. That’s why we’ve created this city centre space for creative artists, across all disciplines and wherever they are in their career, to work, rehearse and collaborate.”

Production and rehearsal spaces are available for casual or short term hire at bookings.brandx.org.au with discounted fees available for independent, emerging or established artists and creative organisations through Brand X’s Artist Pass Program.