Future Tasmania: Hedberg a cutting edge for creatives

It is believed the Hedberg centre’s state-of-the-art facilities and proximity to other arts organisations will change the way the creative arts are taught in Tasmania, and create a cohesive and iconic arts precinct.

HOBART’S new creative and performing arts centre, due to open in January, will be a “game-changer” for the state’s creative industries, arts organisation heads say.

It is believed the Hedberg centre’s state-of-the-art facilities and proximity to other arts organisations will change the way the creative arts are taught in Tasmania, and create a cohesive and iconic arts precinct.

Theatre Royal’s chief executive Tim Munro predicted multi-faceted benefits.

Tim Munro at the Hedberg arts complex. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“On one level the technology is game-changing, especially on the university side, but I think the capacity of the [new studio] stage and its relationship and attractiveness to the audience will make it a substantially better experience for theatregoers,” Mr Munro said.

“But also works that are made and shown in this theatre are more likely to be viable to tour to similar venues in other parts of the country and elsewhere, and I think that’s game-changing for theatre makers here.”

Mr Munro said professional theatre producers would be supported to present work in the new theatre.

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Theatre Council of Tasmania president Peter Sexton said the Hedberg would be “the next biggest thing after Mona” and a valuable addition to the city’s arts infrastructure.

Peter Sexton is the president of the Theatre Council of Tasmania. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The multimillion-dollar building, designed by local architecture firm Liminal Studio, will house the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, teaching and education spaces, recording studios, a recital hall and a theatre venue.

Both the Theatre Royal and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra have programmed shows in the space from early next year.

“The arts precinct will start at the Hedberg, come down through City Hall, Town Hall, TMAG, the TSO and then down to the Art School,” said TSO chief executive Caroline Sharpen.

The centre has the capacity to change the way the creative arts were taught in the state, said Associate Professor Meg Keating, Head of the School of Creative Arts and Media at UTAS.

“It’s an absolute game-changer from my perspective as head of school,” she said.

“It has fantastic, cutting-edge facilities that will change the way we teach. It’s an exciting opportunity to reshape and reform the way we educate the students of the future.

Minister for the Arts Elise Archer said the State Government had invested $30 million into the $98 million project, in partnership with the Australian Government and the University of Tasmania. “The Hedberg ... promotes Hobart and Tasmania as an important international centre for the cultural and creative sectors,” she said.