Arts Central – February Update

This week members of the Steering Committee for the proposed Mission Beach Community Arts Centre met with the architects, Bark Design Architects (Noosa), to discuss overall design options for the new Centre.

The Arts Centre’s design options will include the multi-purpose needs of the community that were gathered at last year’s public consultations. There are a lot of activities that will be squeezed into the final design which will require that the building be able to transform into a multitude of combinations for a variety of activities.

Activity groups that have been identified include an indoor space for clean and dry activities, an indoor wet area, an outdoor undercover activity area, spaces for gallery, exhibitions, performance, history, an office and meeting/training area, as well as a kitchenette.  Use will be made of the existing facilities at MARC’s Park including toilets and other amenities.

To make the Centre a viable entity the $20,000 grant obtained from Blueprint For The Bush is looking at a Strategic and Business Plan now being drawn up by Peter and Ruth Faulkner of Conus (Mission Beach), who will continue to consult with the public about the necessary commercial activities to be conducted.

A grant of $420,000 through the federal government's Job Stimulus package through DEEWR only covers the cost of the building, with the creation of six permanent jobs, and does not include the fit-out. Mission Beach Artists has donated its various items of equipment, including a glass kiln and computers. Anyone who has suitable display cabinets, sofas, desks, indoor/outdoor seating or similar gallery items are asked to contact the Committee.

Members of the public can follow progress of the project by becoming a fan on Facebook and are asked to provide a distinctive name for the new Community Arts Centre. Some suggestions include “The Parks” along the lines of The Tanks in Cairns, “Arts Central” and variations of the same. The History Section is also seeking donations of copies of local history books, those that are scarce and unobtainable are especially sought, to make up a unique reference collection. The Committee is not seeking historical items at this time but would like to compile a list of what is available in the community.

Further information about this project can be obtained from Facebook or contacting Peter Kellett 4088 6430. The Steering Committee is working exceptionally hard to ensure that the various milestones are met during the coming year and any assistance would be greatly appreciated to further this wonderful community project.