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The Rockingham Arts Centre (RAC) closed for refurbishments in January 2022. The refurbishments upgraded the interior of the RAC to strengthen the flexibility and function of the venue for users, lift the quality of art exhibitions, and improve wayfinding between the RAC and the nearby Gary Holland Community Centre (GHCC).
Key improvements to the venue are a new hanging system, upgraded lighting in the gallery, refurbished and repainted internal walls without visual distractions, dedicated storage spaces throughout, and a wash-out sink suitable for a variety of art mediums. A shade sail has also been installed in the courtyard.
Two large swinging walls and ceiling mounts were installed in mid-September 2022 to finalise the upgrades. Directional signage will be installed in the coming months to help direct visitors between the RAC and GHCC.
The venue consists of a:
The RAC is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, and is within walking distance to the beautiful Rockingham Foreshore which has a wide range of restaurants and cafés to enjoy. Free parking is within close proximity.
The multi-use room can be booked for art classes and/or workshops by independent artists or community art groups. The RAC will not accept any bookings from non-artistic practices. Please refer to other City venues for your needs.
For booking availability, please contact the RAC on 9527 0734 between 8am-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday (please note these days are subject to change at times), or email customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au. To book, complete the Community Facility Hire Application Form below.
The City introduced an annual exhibition program in 2023. 13 exhibitions were held in 2023 as part of the program.
We are delighted to have Jude van der Merwe on board for a second year as Curator to assist with developing the 2024 program. Exhibiting in the gallery is via the program. Jude van der Merwe has over 25 years’ experience in the cultural and visual arts sectors. Jude is an independent senior consultant specialising in arts and culture policy and strategy, cultural development, curatorial work and Public Art development and implementation. She has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector in executive roles and as a board member of numerous groups. As Executive Director of Artsource, the representative body for visual artists in Western Australia from 2004-2012 she worked closely with the broad arts and culture sector. Between 2005 and 2009 Artsource doubled its membership, income, number of artist studios and professional program offerings and created valuable partnerships with TAFE and universities. She was an inaugural board member and Company Secretary of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA; Chair of the Mundaring Arts Centre and is current President of the World Crafts Council Australia, Vice President of the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region and member of the Advisory Board Curtin School of Design and the Built Environment. She was the project director and Co-curator for the inaugural Indian Ocean Craft Triennial, Australia presented in Perth and WA between September and November 2021 and continues in that role.
Image: Cassandra Bynder, They Get Further Away from the Nest Every Day (detail), 2023, oil on canvas, 91.44 x 76.2 cm. Image credit: courtesy the artist.
We will be hosting an Artist in Residence (AIR) program at the Rockingham Arts Centre, which will provide artists with the opportunity to develop their practice through self-directed creative projects in 2024.
Two, three-month residencies will be supported on the following dates:
The Rockingham Arts Centre provides facilities for artists who wish to exhibit, run workshops or hire a space for their own personal artistic use. The Rockingham Arts Centre Studio space will be hosting two artist residencies during 2024. The room will also be available for hire from:
The room is equipped with a utility sink, drying rack, two high benches, small table, lockable storage, extraction fan and air conditioning.
Studio hire applications are now open, please click the button below. Applications close Friday 1 March 2024.
Apply here