This year the Mundaring Arts Centre are celebrating 40 years. This week Lost Mundaring and Surroundings is discussing the 'A New and Improved Arts Centre'.
Part 6 History of MAC...
“Historically, the hills community has provided much inspiration and solitude for creative artists. Writers, visual artists and craftspeople have made their homes in the Mundaring Shire, and events like the Darlington Arts Festival have drawn attention to this valuable creative resource. Established artists choose to remain based in this environment and have not only shared their studios with the public, but have also contributed greatly to the evolution and success of the Mundaring Arts Centre.
In return the Mundaring Arts Centre strives to support emerging artists, to display and promote the work of established artists, and to provide forum for artists to network, exchange ideas and develop their skills further. Artists consulted as part of this survey of needs were clear in their wish to give back to the community, to participate in public art projects and to be involved in the centre. Such opportunities will bee enhanced by the new arts centre which will provide better studio and workshop facilities and better exhibition opportunities for all artists in the Shire.”
In 1996 the Mundaring Arts Centre Board commissioned a community needs survey and commenced planning for a new Arts Centre. This had the support of the Shire, who had been charting community needs, appreciated the active and important role that MAC played in the area and recognised that the Arts Centre had outgrown the Mahogany Creek facility. Although a formal cultural plan had yet to be formulated by the Shire, it provided a commitment to include a new arts centre in its long term infrastructure plans.
In the interim, the Shire offered MAC temporary accommodation in the old Mundaring Post office on the corner of GEH and Nichol Street. This site offered a prominent location and access to the central business community as well as additional storage, administration and exhibition space.
In 1997 the MAC Board accepted the Shire’s offer but intended to pursue the commitment of a purpose built arts centre and gallery space by the end of 2001.
Various alternatives for a new site were considered, including the new Sculpture Park, proximity close to the community library and a bush location within the hills forest environment. Eventually however, it was generally agreed that a new arts centre should be located within a central civic precinct to allow easy public access, proximity to other community facilities and a close relationship to the Sculpture Park.
Thank you to the Mundaring Arts Centre for supplying the great photo* and information!
*(Photo below: Mundaring Arts Centre, Mundaring, May 2004)
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