Multimillion dollar backing from a group of philanthropists is to ensure the future operations of Sydney arts and events venue the Carriageworks, with the NSW Government supporting the venture with a 10-year lease and five-year funding agreement.
The multi-arts organisation that operates performance and gallery spaces in repurposed 1880s locomotive workshops in Sydney’s inner west went into voluntary administration in May owing more than $2 million to more than 140 creditors.
Now the arts institution, which is home to eight resident arts companies, has been saved with NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin announced an agreement with philanthropists including Geoff Ainsworth and his wife Johanna Featherstone, Kerr Neilson, Michael Gonski and the Packer Family Foundation backed the arts organisation.
Harwin advised “at the heart of it, we are excited for the resident companies of Carriageworks who will also greatly benefit from this announcement.”
The funding from the philanthropists was contingent upon Create NSW granting Carriageworks a long-term lease.
Carriageworks had been in negotiations with the NSW Government’s arts funding body Create NSW – through which Carriageworks subleases the site from…