In a bold move to revitalize Sydney’s arts scene, the Inner West council has thrown open the doors of seven historic town halls to arts organizations, offering these grand spaces free of charge. The initiative aims to breathe new life into these under-utilized heritage buildings while addressing the performing arts crisis that has gripped the city since the pandemic.
Bringing Town Halls Back to Their Roots
The magnificent brick town halls, built in the early 20th century, were once vibrant community hubs hosting council meetings, award ceremonies, and lively dances. However, as modern buildings began serving municipal needs, many of these architectural gems were left empty or under-used. Inner West council, the product of multiple amalgamations, found itself with an abundance of these dormant civic treasures.
Mayor Darcy Byrne sees this initiative as a return to the town halls’ original purpose. “Most town halls in Australia traditionally were used for dances, concerts, major events,” he notes. “In a way, by repurposing them as arts and cultural venues, we’re going back to their traditions.”
A Lifeline for Struggling Artists
The Covid-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to Australia’s performing arts sector, with around 1,300 live performance venues shuttering their doors. In Sydney, beloved institutions like the 505 jazz club were lost, and attendance at popular venues nearly halved. For many artists, the cost of hiring a commercial space for rehearsals and performances, which can reach $80,000, became an insurmountable barrier.
Enter the town halls. In just three months since the council began offering these spaces for free, they’ve received over 1,100 bookings across seven venues, with independent theatre, music, and dance productions making up 72% of the reservations. For groups like the Inner West Theatre Company, this has been a game-changer.
“Being able to have the town hall at no cost means that our money can be spent in putting on great productions and providing affordable theatre in a cost-of-living crisis for members of the community,” explains Kane Wheatley, the company’s musical director.
From Strictly Ballroom to Showstopping Revivals
This isn’t the first time Sydney’s town halls have played a starring role in the arts. Over three decades ago, Baz Luhrmann’s iconic Strictly Ballroom was filmed in Petersham town hall. Earlier this year, that same 82-year-old building hosted an Inner West Theatre Company production of the beloved classic, this time without the hefty price tag.
With their grand stages, ornate halls, and impressive acoustics, these heritage buildings are perfectly poised to once again become cultural beacons. While some may require acoustic treatments to optimize sound quality, Byrne believes “in every town across Australia, there is one of these beautiful buildings that’s currently being greatly under-utilized.”
Inspiring a National Movement
The Inner West council’s innovative approach is already sparking interest across the country. In Victoria, the state government is investing in town hall restoration projects to revitalize these spaces for modern community use. From the folk music revival at Creswick to the upcoming renovations at Daylesford, the potential for these historic buildings to enrich local arts and culture is immense.
As Byrne pointedly remarks, “The councils across Australia are spending millions and millions of dollars every year on the maintenance and repair of town halls because they have enormous heritage and civic value. But the truth is most of them are sitting empty, dormant and unused for 80% or 90% of the time, which is just a waste of a great public resource.”
By opening their doors and welcoming artists in, Sydney’s Inner West council is not only rescuing its own cultural scene but providing a powerful model for communities nationwide. As these majestic spaces once again reverberate with the sounds of music, laughter, and applause, they stand as testaments to the enduring power of art to bring us together and the vital role of local governments in nourishing that creative spirit.
