Pop-up centre fills void after floods

A POP-UP youth centre and outdoor art exhibition has opened in Hobart to give young people a place meet after the regular venue was damaged in the May floods.

Criterion House will host the City’s Youth Arts and Recreation Centre Programs while the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre and Substation Art Gallery in Collins St is repaired. The venue was one of 13 Hobart councilrun properties damaged by the floods on May 10-11.

Community participation co-ordinator Sophie Calic said it was unclear when the Collins St centre would be reopened and the damage was extensive.

“It’s pretty safe to say we’ll be here for the remainder of the year at least,” she said.

“All of the internal walls have been taken down, it’s just a shell.”

The council is hoping to fund a redevelopment of the original site using an insurance payout.

Youth program team leader Christopher Mister said the centre would run a limited program, including a cooking class and art activities.

“It’s going to be a safe place for young people to come in out of the cold,” he said.

People aged 12–25 will have access to the centre from 3.305.30pm from Wednesday to Friday.

A collection of artwork curated by the City of Hobart’s Youth Arts and Recreation team will be launched today at Art on Victoria at the rear of Artery on Victoria St.

“This gallery provides a high-profile exhibition space for young artists,” Alderman Bill Harvey said.