Armidale Live inc

We will work to make a significant contribution to the culture and economy of our city. Armidale Live
Business Plan and Vision Statement
www.armidale.live

Armidale Live aims to create a thriving arts scene in Armidale that will stimulate employment, become a significant part of the local economy and of course enrich our substantial creative culture. It aims to make Armidale an arts education and

business centre for the North and North West of NSW. To develop multilevel courses either in conjunction with TAFE and the University of New England or through an RTO that will attract students from across the North West to come to Armidale to learn the necessary skills that will underpin their artistic endeavours.
2. To create a supportive environment for all the arts which can be a cross fertilising hot house that allows for cross genre cooperation
3. Create the environment where Arts based businesses can thrive and to that end encourage practitioners to come to a centre of collective creativity. In Short: Support, Culture, Education and Business

As part of this wider ambit and hopefully in partnership with Armidale Regional Council (we are in discussions) we aim to make the Old Armidale Courthouse a creative hub, a performance and exhibition space and the centre from which other endeavours will grow. In addition we aim to establish a new state of the art performance space that can stage travelling performances and have a seating capacity that matches the cultural appetite of the City. Such a facility would be of critical importance in providing students with access to professional performance standards and technical expertise. Initially we will be conducting a fund raising campaign through our page and web site and sponsoring work undertaken by our supporting organisations. Our Business Plan for the Old Armidale Courthouse is available on our page
https://www.facebook.com/ArmidaleLiveandArmidaleCourthouseTrust

DRAFT Proposal to:
Preserve the Fabric and History of the Old Armidale Court House
and
Establish an Arts and Cultural Hub and Performance/Exhibition Space in the Building

Site overview

The building has been well maintained, there are some maintenance works pending
Ten large offices and the main court room
Large forecourt area open to the south
Minor rooms include male and female toilets, 3 other toilets old cells and store rooms
Access from Moore St, Faulkner St and Beardy St
Category 5 computer cabling throughout and multiple optic fibre lines installed
Reverse cycle fully ducted air conditioning
Prime position for public access
Iconic recognition status
Some off street parking
Large entry forecourt for public events
Western garden for outdoor dining
Sheriff’s office could serve as a gallery, a museum, a workshop or a facility for artists in residence
Access to the Mall for extended outdoor events

Arts Hub and Performance/Exhibition Space
Rationale:
Armidale has a long history of excellence in the performing arts. In order to capitalise on and develop this cluster of talent and expertise we believe that a Hub for the performing arts is essential. The creation of similar centres for fine arts and music have not only increased interest in those artistic pursuits but have attracted teaching expertise and created extraordinary opportunities for young people seeking arts based careers or simply the significant personal development afforded by the performance arts. In 1983 The New England Regional Art Museum opened the doors to its home in Kentucky Street
In 1999 Armidale became the Third City of The Arts. In 2005 The New England Conservatorium Of Music was established in the Old Armidale Teachers College. It is now time to create a permanent Arts Hub for Armidale
An Arts Hub will:
• Promote artistic excellence and professionalism
• Provide training and support for individuals and groups
• Provide an affordable, accessible, intimate and flexible performance and exhibition space. This submission has two major objectives:
• Preserving the historic building and its long history and making it accessible to the public.
• As a focal point for creative projects, performances, exhibitions and displays in the city. The main courtroom would make an ideal performance space, with an estimated audience capacity of 120 it could be used by the wider community at a reasonable rental rate for theatre, dance and music recitals as well as exhibitions, seminars and product launches. It is important to note that the building could be put to immediate rudimentary use ie no reliance on fund raising before opening the doors to the public. This proposal does not seek to compete with the ARPAC objective of a dedicated performing arts centre. Rather the project will provide a focus for a variety of art forms including contemporary music. As a cultural hub the project will showcase the developing talent of the region. Business Plan
The project aims to be self sustaining in the long term but will need to seek grants and community donations for the refurbishment that underpins the business plan. To sustain the building, its maintenance and the arts hub in the long term several income streams are proposed.
4. The Old Courthouse has 10 'office spaces' 4 of which could be rented to businesses, NGOs or professionals using a shared services/facilities model that could be readily provided in the building.
5. The Old Sheriff's Office could serve as a gallery space
6. A well appointed cafe/bar in Court no. 2 opening onto the western garden area.
7. A regular performance space for contemporary music
9. Regular drama, seminars, exhibitions and recitals
10. Schools would be invited to stage their productions in this space
11. UNE would be invited to showcase their student productions in a ‘Town Season’

This kind of programming means that the building would be open 7 days per week, enhancing the life of the city and bringing more people into the mall. Sponsorship
The iconic nature of the building and its central location make it a desirable target for corporate sponsorship

Income and expenditure estimates are included at appendix A

Possible Legal Structure
A public building of such high community and historical value should remain publicly owned, while ongoing management of the site should be vested in a not for profit legal entity, hopefully ‘Armidale Live’ www.armidale.live

Favoured stewards:
• Armidale Regional Council

Structure of the Armidale Live
• An incorporated not for profit association with DGR status
• A constitution which lays out the aims and objectives
• The usual elected office holders
• A Permanent seat on the committee for the stewards of the site
• A paid executive officer with an Arts and business background
• Elected committee members


Changes To The Building
While the preservation of the building and its history is of great importance the change of use would require some renovation and equipment installation. The following is an indicative but not exhaustive list of preservation and changes.
• Demolition of the two client interview room constructed in the 1970s creating a larger space in the main court room.
• Refurbish the existing court room 2 to create a cafe/bar
• Create better access to the western garden as an outdoor area serviced by the catering facilities
• Create disabled access to toilets
• Install a catering area behind the cafe/bar to the north
• The carved coat of arms and other significant pieces from the main courtroom would be looked after by the Communities and Justice Department (They may choose to leave them in place or remove them altogether.)
• Create a reception area and history room to contain and display as much of the original furniture and historic documents as possible. The current reception area on the south east of the building is a likely location.
• Create a reading room to house the Adrian Kiernander memorial library.
• Use as much of the main court room furniture as will suit the change of use purpose.
• Maintain as far as possible all the original doors, windows, skirting and architrave.
• Install 6-8 removable lighting bars in the main courtroom using winches installed and concealed in the roof space
• Install lighting and control equipment
• Install a sound system to suit a variety of performances
• Install an intercom system
• Install a large concealable projection screen in the main court room
• Possible upgrade of power to the building to accommodate larger loads from lighting and cooking equipment
• Create dressing rooms and a green room that could double as a conference break out rooms.
• Create secure private areas for tenants and performers.
• Install as many PV panels as possible.
• Upgrade fire equipment to suit new purpose