MAC
comes before MONA
Long before MONA, a vibrant
arts and cultural space existed in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
The Moonah Arts Centre
(MAC) has been a standout on the Moonah landscape for around two decades. In a
municipality traditionally maligned for its working class roots, MAC has been a
vibrant centre for quality art and community cultural development, drawing
audiences from all over southern Tasmania. MAC is challenging.
With a commitment to accessible
art and cultural experiences, it has showcased work from diverse cultural
communities, the LGBTI community, people with disabilities, the Tasmanian
Aboriginal community and many more. It has supported emerging artists and
provided access to experienced artists through its annual program of
exhibitions, workshops and concerts. MAC is inclusive.
Over the years it has grown
out of its former Hopkins Street home. A beautiful, light building, where exhibitions,
workshops and concerts had to be scheduled sequentially or share spaces. It
made for inefficient programming and crowding when demand was growing.
A new MAC has opened and
it’s purpose built.
The Federally funded, four
million dollar redevelopment, was designed by local architects James Morrison
and Yvette Breytenbach. They have created an airy, open, modern, community
space. MAC is beautiful.
There are five precincts in
the new MAC: exhibition space, high acoustic performance concert hall,
commercial kitchen, meeting room and workshop space; situated around a large
foyer and outdoor courtyard. Each precinct is independent which allows for
greater flexibility in programming. The exhibition space is designed with moveable walls that can change the space to fit the needs of individual exhibitions. MAC is optimistic.
MAC’s first exhibition in
its new premises is called Stand Back and it’s an exhibition of diverse
Tasmanian art with kids in mind.
Curator, Josie Hurst, says
‘As the inaugural exhibition at the new Moonah Arts Centre on Albert Road,
Stand Back is a statement that this Centre is here to play an active role in
providing quality creative experiences for its wider audience, starting with
its youngest audience.’
Pick up the art cards that
accompany the exhibition. They provide a beautiful keepsake of the artworks,
information on the artist and examples for creative expression, focused on
caregivers and children, but really for everyone. MAC is fun.
See Stand Back until 4
April 2015.
The MAC opened Friday, 6
March 2015.
Find MAC at 23-27 Albert
Road, Moonah.
Opening hours: Tuesday –
Friday 9 am – 5 pm.
Gallery hours: Tuesday –
Friday, 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm.
Call them on 6214 7633.
