BMA Arts
A whopping 22,500 people attended ticketed events, workshops, and classes at Tuggeranong Arts Centre in 2023, and the TAC Team have only just begun to art.
Situated on Tuggeranong’s Lakefront, the southside community arts centre is a hub for thriving where creativity thrives, connection, participation, and learning.
Last year, the busy TAC team presented more than 1,774 arts activities spanning workshops and classes, exhibitions, and theatre and music performances. But despite these figures, TAC CEO Caroline Downer says she still hears people say it’s the first time they’ve visited.
“Last year, our term-based classes saw young people enrol in 19 Fresh Funk dance classes, four Messengers group art classes, five visual art classes, and one drama class, while wonderful new initiatives, including a series of six-week Art Masterclasses and Fresh Funk 55+ dance class, brought new people in.
“All these classes have grown significantly this year,” Downer said.
Presenting partnerships and community collaborations established in 2023 have continued expanding TAC’s program and building diverse audiences in 2024.
“Quarterly chamber concerts presented in collaboration with Canberra Symphony Orchestra are bringing sell-out crowds for CSO Down South, and audiences for shows presented by the Canberra Comedy Festival continue to grow,” Downer said.
“The Yunggabilli First Nations open mic and a partnership with Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Deadly Funny continue to offer opportunities for emerging First Nations artists.
“A monthly writing group with MARION offers an inclusive space for writers.
“The Chat and Make Art program—a free facilitated art group for migrant women in Woden—offers opportunities for more diverse community members,” Downer said.
And as TAC gears up to launch its six-monthly program for July to December, which will hit the streets in just over a month, Downer says it is an exciting time for the arts in Canberra’s South, with even more new opportunities for young people and artists on offer at TAC in the second half of 2024.
“The inaugural Creative Kitchen invites artists to a pitching session, where an audience vote will determine the winning idea and secure project seed funding for the associated artists,” Downer said.
“The new five-week Vinyl Vista program will allow young people to develop skills in drawing fundamentals, printmaking, and collaborating to install a vinyl design for TAC’s gender-neutral bathroom, while Battle Of The Bands will allow emerging musos to have their own music video produced,” Downer said.
TAC’s exhibition program continues to provide deeper community engagement with its associated public program of artist talks. Some fabulous exhibitions are planned for the second half of 2024.
“Ten female artists share their investigations of the migrant experience in Longing & Belonging, presenting works in various media that recall their cultural origins and transition from one place to another.
“Later in the year, Objects in Motion provides a glimpse into the imaginations and processes of sculptor Tom Buckland, stop-motion animators Eleanor Evans and Giovani Aguilar, and renowned glass artist Tom Moore when the fabulous artist-made objects are shown with animations or videos,” Downer says.
Continuing through the end of the year will be monthly after-work jazz in TAC’s Lakeside at 5 program and Every Body Life drawing.
The recently introduced bi-monthly Saturday Salon—a series of afternoon concerts focusing on a single instrument—presents David Pereira in Playing and Artistry—a unique, interactive examination of the cello’s inner and outer workings.
In November, the Saturday Salon will be with Callum Henshaw, a young and highly talented classical guitarist.
TAC’s revamped school holiday program, Art and Action, returns in the July School holidays. Then, in October, TAC welcomes back Mr Tim & Ms Nath with their wonderfully whacky and hugely popular Make a Mini Musical program and the ANU Hip Hop Song Writing Course with Daniel Kirkland.
“Kids will also love that we’re bringing back Little Wing Puppets, with the magical story of friendship, resilience and sustainability – The Fish That Wanted to Fly,” Downer said.
Tuggeranong Arts Centre is a place where everyone is welcome. The second half of the year offers many different arts activities for all ages and skill levels. You can attend concerts, performances, and exhibitions or, if you prefer a more hands-on experience, participate in various workshops and classes in dance, drama, art, and music.
“Come and join the TAC community—we would love to see you here. We’re only about 30 minutes from anywhere in Canberra, so let’s put the North-South divide to bed,” Downer said.
Head to https://www.tuggeranongarts.com/ for more information!
