A heritage-listed building in Sydney’s Macquarie Street East (MSE) precinct is to enjoy a new lease on life as it becomes available for creative professionals and some of the State’s brightest arts, screen and creative talent to use it as a new space to work or rehearse in.
Announcing the repurposing of the historical Registrar General’s Building (RGB), Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was part of a plan to transform Macquarie Street into a vibrant cultural precinct.
“Many historical buildings in the heart of Sydney are overlooked and unappreciated and this is a chance to breathe new life into them,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s a golden opportunity to celebrate our diverse history, showcase the city’s culture and attract a new league of visitors.”
The Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts said it was vital to provide arts, screen and cultural organisations with a new home following the impacts of the past two years and the Minister for the Arts, Ben Franklin said RGB Creative provided much needed spaces for the state’s arts and cultural sector to create exciting new works, plan, and rehearse.
“Making the building a shared space for arts, screen and cultural organisations will not only provide essential accommodation support to the sector, but will contribute to the continued activation of the Sydney CBD,” Mr Franklin said.
He said RGB Creative will feature the efforts of 12 cultural organisations including the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian Haydn Ensemble, Collins and Turner, Endangered Productions, Incognito Art Show, Monkey Baa Theatre Company, Studio Gilay, Sydney International Piano Competition, the Sydney Writers’ Room, Sydney Youth Orchestras, The House that Dan Built and Music in the Regions.
A feature of RGB is to be a dedicated space for repairing and restoring flood-damaged collections from the Lismore Regional Gallery and the Richmond River Historical Society.
The building is to be supported by specialist staff from cultural institutions including the Art Gallery of NSW, The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Australian Museum, State Archives and Records Authority and Sydney Living Museums and the State Library of New South Wales.
