Gorman Arts Centre is a significant heritage complex that has been adapted for arts use. It is occupied by some of the ACT's leading arts organisations, smaller arts groups and individual artists. The centre offers intimate performance spaces, dance studios and workshops, a gallery, artists' studios, small offices for arts organisations and meeting rooms. The centre supports a range of innovative and accessible arts activities and is a short walk to Civic. Gorman House was constructed in the 1920's as a hostel for government workers and is highly valued by the local community for its link with this early stage in Canberra's development. It is listed on the ACT Heritage Places Register. You can read the heritage listing on the ACT Heritage Register. Centenary Upgrade ProjectBackground The Gorman Arts Centre centenary upgrades will include critical maintenance and building works at the heritage-listed Gorman House complex to support its conservation and improve amenity and access. These improvements will foster contemporary arts practice and community arts use to celebrate the site's centenary in 2024. The total funding allocated for the upgrades is 12.9 million, including $7.9 million from the ACT Government and $5 million from the Australian Government. Extensive consultation has been undertaken with resident arts organisations and artists, with work scheduled to start in the second half of 2024. artsACT is working with Gorman Arts Centre residents to minimise disruption to site occupants as the work is undertaken. Current Status Work on the centenary upgrades to Gorman Arts Centre commenced in August 2024 and will be undertaken in three stages to minimise disruption to residents. As part of the Development Approval (DA) process, a Notice of Decision was received from the Territory Planning Authority in November 2024. An application to amend the DA in response to changes required by ACT Heritage is underway. Stage 1 of the project was completed in April 2025 and included remediation of hazardous materials in preparation for Stage 2 of the project, which will begin as soon as the DA amendment is approved. Stage 2 construction will take approximately 9-12 months to complete. Stage 2 will include improvements to accessibility, sustainability and usability with a fully accessible rehearsal space in Block C, new café and meeting rooms in Block G, new display and administration space in Block H and an upgraded multipurpose space in Block F. Stage 2 also includes refurbishment of the southern end of Block E. The final scope of works is subject to market costings and available budget. Stage 3 is for works in Block B and the northern end of Block E, and will include heating, cooling and insulation to most studio and meeting room spaces, subject to ACT Heritage approval. When the centenary upgrades are completed Block H and Block G1 will be restored as separate buildings as originally conceived. Block G1 is proposed to be a café space with meeting rooms and Block H will become a Gorman residents’ showcase and administration space. There will be new fully accessible toilets and end-of-trip facilities in Block C. The original external paint colours have been determined through the sampling of paint layers and, subject to ACT Heritage approval, the original paint colours will be returned to the building facades. To view the plans of the Gorman Centenary Upgrade Project, please visit the ACT Government Planning website. Please email Cris.Clucas@act.gov.au or Libby.Gordon@act.gov.au from artsACT for more information about the project. Gorman Arts Centre Contact For more information or to arrange venue hire, please contact Gorman Arts Centre directly. Ainslie Arts Centre and Gorman Arts Centre are managed by Arts Capital Limited, a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee, operating under a head licence from the ACT Government. Arts Capital provides services to resident artists and arts organisations and promotes activities at both centres. |
Image: Proposed new café courtyard at Gorman Arts Centre, subject |
Address 55 Ainslie Avenue Phone 02 6182 0000 enquiry@ainslieandgorman.com.au Website Resident Artists and Organisations For a list of resident artists and organisations, visit the Ainslie+Gorman website |
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