As Sydney non-profit contemporary art centre Artspace reopens after renovation, its director talks about serving the community and networking in Asia
- Newly renovated Sydney contemporary art centre Artspace reopens on December 15, bigger and with more studios to let out rent-free to artists
- The venue’s director, who also works for Art Basel Hong Kong, talks about raising its profile by working with curators linked to Venice Biennale and M+ museum
On Friday, December 15 2023, Artspace – a non-profit contemporary art centre in Sydney – will reopen after a three-year-long renovation that has cost more than A$19.2 million (US$12.6 million).
The celebrations that evening and the following day will feature live music, DJ sets, a book launch, artist talks and the opening of three exhibitions, including a solo exhibition by the aboriginal artist Jonathan Jones which has been developed with the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
But before that, there will be another event: a barbecue with children from the local community, who have worked with another aboriginal artist, Dennis Golding, to make the ribbon that will be cut during the grand opening.
“Artspace is located in Woolloomooloo, at a really interesting intersection of different social, cultural and economic points,” says Alexie Glass-Kantor, Artspace’s executive director.
The art centre is sandwiched between one of the last pockets of social housing in Sydney and Woolloomooloo Wharf – where actor Russell Crowe lives and where some of the most expensive property in the city is to be found.