Moonah Arts Centre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Moonah Arts Centre signage, 2024 | |
 Interactive map of Moonah Arts Centre | |
| Address | 23–27 Albert Road |
|---|---|
| Location | Moonah, Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 42°50′53.79″S 147°17′42.99″E / 42.8482750°S 147.2952750°E |
| Owner | Glenorchy City Council |
| Operator | Glenorchy City Council |
| Type | Multi-arts centre |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2013–2015 |
| Opened | 6 March 2015 |
| Construction cost | A$4 million |
| Architect | Morrison & Breytenbach Architects |
| Website | |
| www | |
Moonah Arts Centre (MAC) is a publicly funded multi-arts hub in Moonah, Tasmania, a northern suburb of Hobart. Since opening on 6 March 2015 at a cost of AU$4 million, the centre stages exhibitions, live music, theatre, workshops and community festivals year-round. MAC is owned and operated by the Glenorchy City Council.[1]
Building
Moonah Arts Centre began in 1994 in the former Moonah Community Hall at 65 Hopkins Street, becoming a focal point for community arts in Hobart’s northern suburbs.[2] Growing patronage prompted Glenorchy City Council to pursue a larger venue; Commonwealth and state grants, secured in part through federal MP Andrew Wilkie helped fund the new facility on Albert Road from 2013.[3] The centre opened to the public on 6 March 2015 with performances and a group exhibition that ABC News described as “the perfect complement" to the nearby Museum of Old and New Art.[1]
Designed by Morrison & Breytenbach Architects, the building received the Alan C Walker Award for Public Architecture, and the Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, at the 2015 Tasmanian Architecture Awards.[4]
The two-storey complex articulates four principal volumes: the “light box”, “sound box”, “treasure box” and an open courtyard in contrasting cladding and form.[5] Galleries can combine for large shows or divide for smaller installations, while a black-box studio hosts music, theatre and film. Inclusive design features include ramped access, hearing loops and all-gender amenities; sustainable measures range from passive solar orientation to recyclable aluminium façades.[5]
Outside the entrance stands Frida’s Carload, a mosaic-tiled sculpture by Tasmanian artist Tony Woodward that has become a local landmark.[6][7]
Programme
Ongoing series
- Friday Nights Live, a continuing concert series featuring Tasmanian musicians.[8]
- Glenorchy Open Art Exhibition, an annual community survey show established in 2018.[9]
- Moonah Music, free family-friendly live-music afternoons held monthly.[10]
Selected exhibitions (chronological)
- 2021 – Interplay, a craft and design showcase of local makers.[11]
- 2022 – The Soup Collective, Church of Harridans Witnessers, exploring queer ageing and religious discrimination.[12]
- 2023 – Treasured Lives, a group exhibition on hoarding and mental health produced with Anglicare Tasmania.[13]
- 2024 – Dance of Colour, an international exhibition by Ukrainian folk artist Anna Mykhalchuk.[14]
Festival partnerships (chronological)
- 2016 – Dark Mofo: jazz pianist Tom Vincent’s octet work Dhāraṇī, performed 14–15 June.[15]
- 2024 – Ten Days on the Island: SA/MOA, another Pasifika collaboration.[16]
- 2024 – Mona Foma:
- The Shruti Sessions residency, featuring Debashish Bhattacharya and TextaQueen’s Bollywouldn’t mural (18–25 February).[17][18]
- Tabla player Jay Dabgar and santoor player Vinay Desai in concert (30 March).[19]
- 2025 – Ten Days on the Island: Pasifika–First Nations project LUMI.[20]
