South Hobart school reborn as new arts hub

The former South Hobart Primary School has reopened as the South Hobart Living Arts Centre, a new arts and community centre featuring performance and rehearsal spaces as well as administrative offices.

The building’s reopening as an arts and community space follows years of lobbying for the reuse of the heritage-listed former South Hobart Primary School designed by colonial architect Henry Hunter.

The former school’s conversion has been assisted by all levels of government, including $1.65 million in Federal funding, over $500,000 contributed by the Tasmanian Government and support from the Hobart City Council.

The Centre was unveiled this week by Tasmanian MP Elise Archer, who stated “the Centre will offer affordable office spaces, rehearsal spaces and performance venues for artists, arts organisations and community groups.”

The MP said the facility said the South Hobart Living Arts Centre would contribute to the local economy, local employment, and importantly, Tasmania’s flourishing arts scene.

Archer, who officially opened the Centre alongside Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz and acting City of Hobart Lord Mayor, Alderman Ron Christie, said the Tasmanian Government was a strong supporter of the cultural and creative industries.

She added “more than 9,000 Tasmanians are directly employed in the cultural and creative industries or in cultural and creative occupations, with countless more employed indirectly through the related tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.”

Tenants are in the process of moving in, and the Centre should be active and open to the public in June.

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