Northern Beaches Council is calling on the community for their ideas on what they want in a new cultural space, following the recent announcement of $1 million to fund a new centre on the northern end of the peninsula, and an additional $2 million for public art across the Northern Beaches.

Council Administrator Dick Persson AM said Council is developing the space in the northern suburbs of the area will enhance the cultural offerings on the Northern Beaches.

“As a boost to the local arts community, this funding will bring a creative art space near the Avalon/Newport area, in addition to the Creative Space in North Curl Curl.

“What this space looks like and has on offer is really up to the community, and could be something altogether different to what we have seen before.

We’re relying on the community to help build the vision for this space,” Mr Persson said

Information stalls will be held over the next few weeks and if people are keen to contribute more, they can apply for the Cultural Space Advisory Group that will work closely with Council to hone the vision for the new space:

• Sunday 27 August, 12-4pm
  Taste of the Beaches, Winnererremy Bay Mona Vale

• Friday 1 September, 9-11am
  Beaches Market Warriewood

There will also be a Cultural Space workshop at Newport Community Centre on Tuesday 19 September, 2-4pm and interested people are invited to register.

Comments can also be made online at Your Say. Submissions close 1 October.

The program is funded through Council’s Merger Savings Fund which was established to provide an ongoing pool of money for projects that directly benefit the community. The new programs and initiatives are a direct result of efficiency savings achieved through the merger.

In addition to this $1 million for the creative space, a further $2 million—$500,000 per year for four years starting in 2017/18—has been allocated for the installation of public art in key locations, with commissions from local artists where possible.