NEW FIZZ FOR COCA
State funding to bring complex back from the brink
THE city’s home of homegrown art and theatre is in line for a major redevelopment, including the introduction of a $2.1 million incubator for indigenous performers.
The Centre of Contemporary Arts will shut for months while refurbishments are under way, leaving a shortterm gap in the city’s theatrical capacity coinciding with construction of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
Despite the awkward timing, tenants JUTE Theatre Company, KickArts Contemporary Arts and the End Credits Film Club are thrilled at the investment.
“We have been working together to try and get something like this happening,” JUTE CEO Suellen Maunder said.
“We were aware the venue needed to be regenerated, so we couldn’t believe it when the funding came through.
“We want to make it more open, more accessible, and keep growing the fantastic theatre and visual arts that we’ve got here.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who also oversees the arts portfolio, said the CoCA upgrades were an investment in the strength of the Far North’s arts sector.
“With the forthcoming opening of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, government also needs to consider the best use for the CoCA into the future,” she said.
“This also presents the opportunity for government to further support our indigenous performing artists to connect with local audiences and visitors.
“The $2.1 million allocated in 2017-18 to support an indigenous performing arts incubator will result in investment for new performing arts commissions in dance and theatre at CoCA, and professional development and mentoring for indigenous artists.”
The redesign will move KickArts’ shopfront and galleries to the ground floor to provide them with greater street access, and create “flexible office space” hot desks for intermittent residency access for artists and creative groups.
While planning remains in its infancy, Ms Maunder said it would likely “bring the building further out” towards the street, and may include using large digital screens to display what is happening inside the building to the outside world.
Brynn Matthews from End Credits said the group would hold its last screening in December, with construction expected to continue until May.
“We were worried the door would be shut in our face, but we have been reassured that it is definitely open,” he said.
Ms Maunder said the shutdown was a necessary pain.
“The plan is to have it open by at least the time that Cairns indigenous Art Fair comes around (in July),” she said.
“It’s a bit unfortunate that at the same time CPAC won’t come online until August, but when the money’s there, you’ve got to take it,” she said.
“We are dynamic companies and we always find ways to turn things to our advantage.”
Ms Maunder was eager to retain the famous jelly baby sculpture out the front.
“I think they’re a Cairns icon and I don’t want to lose them,” she said.
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