Senator Bill Shorten, the federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services will meet tomorrow morning at the Salamanca Arts Centre to discuss the merits of a proposed new creativity centre for Tasmania, which would provide a hub for socially inclusive arts, health and sustainability activity. The proposed centre would be situated at the historic St Johns Park Orphanage building, in New Town.



Kickstart Arts has joined forces with a group of like minded organisations including OAK Tasmania, Headway Rebuilding Lives, The Tas. Community Foundation, the Salamanca Arts Centre and the National Trust to work towards establishing a new Creative Living Centre to be housed in the historic Orphan School and adjacent buildings. The purpose of the centre would be to support and develop creativity, sustainability & social inclusion through community and cultural development programs and activities.



“ The idea is something I’ve been thinking about for 6 years ” said Jami Bladel, CEO of Kickstart Arts Inc. “We worked out at St Johns park with a group of people with mental illness in 2003, and we found this beautiful little theatrette in the old Orphanage building, with red velvet seats and a projection box and everything – but it’s been dark since the 50’s! – no-one uses it ”.



The programs and facilities provided through the centre would include Arts Access programs, Community Gardens; a training kitchen & café; a printmaking studio, theatrette and gallery space as well as a Historic site Interpretation centre.



“ I think the time is right for an idea of this kind to really take off ” said Bladel , “ It’s an idea for the new millennium – something positive and pro-active we can do. This centre will enable people and groups to work together to find solutions to the huge problems which face us as we move forward into the uncertainty of a climate changed future.”



For further information contact
Jami Bladel
0439 342 775
jami@kickstart.org.au