Construction of the all-new $4.08 million Singleton Arts and Culture Centre is ready to begin early in the new year, painting a renewed focus on the visual arts for the Singleton local government area.

Singleton Council awarded the tender to Lahey Construction Pty Ltd at its ordinary meeting in November 2020, following the adoption of the Arts and Culture Strategy that provides a framework to define the Singleton identity through the arts and culture.

The building will be located in adjoining Singleton Visitor Information Centre in Townhead Park, and is funded by a $2.787million NSW Government grant from Create NSW with the remainder by Council.

The contractors will begin site preparation works next week, with a view to starting construction in early January. The building will include:

• More than 300 square metres of gallery space
• Two artist studios including wet space and digital space
• Work room
• Storage

Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen MP said he was delighted that construction of the Arts & Cultural Centre in Singleton was very soon to begin.

“This project when completed will offer new experiences for both local and regional visitors, leading to more tourism dollars and jobs for our local Singleton economy and for the cultural life of our town,” he said.

“Art, screen, culture, music and performance are at the heart and soul of regional NSW, and I am proud that the Nationals in Government provided the funding for this project, from which so many Singleton residents will be able to enjoy both entertaining and educational experiences, when completed.”

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said she was excited to finally see the building get off the ground – literally.

“An arts and culture centre is something that has been on our community’s wish list for a very long time, and it’s going to be a brilliant base for the Arts and Culture Strategy and all that’s happening in celebrating our area as a centre for creativity,” she said.

“The design of the building was a result of extensive community consultation, including face-to face drop-in sessions, workshops, letterbox drops, discussions with our Arts and Culture Advisory Group and even a survey on Council’s Facebook page calling for suggestions for the name of the centre and the types of programs and exhibitions people want to see in the space.

“It’s much more than a gallery for paintings or sculptures – this will be a centre that will reflect our identity as a community and celebrate the heritage and culture of the people right across our local government area.

“It will also be a fantastic attraction for Singleton, and a fantastic addition to Townhead Park.

“The building has been carefully designed in keeping with the Townhead Park MasterPlan and in conjunction with existing facilities on the site including the Visitor Information Centre, café and playground to transform this important location off the Hunter Expressway and New England Highway into a hub for visitors, the Singleton community, arts and culture, recreation and leisure.”