Sad news for Sydney’s arts and culture community today, as arts centre Carriageworks have announced they have gone into voluntary administration amid the coronavirus pandemic.
After reports circled the news last night, the centre confirmed it on social media and to the press earlier this morning.
“Carriageworks generates 75% of its revenue outside of government funding, primarily through on-site events and programs,” a spokesperson said via The Guardian.
These on-site events include the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, multiple concerts as part of Sydney’s VIVID Festival and more.
“The sudden cancellation or postponement of six months of activities due to restrictions on public gatherings has resulted in an irreparable loss of income,” the statement continued.
According to Chief Executive, Blair French, all of Carriageworks’ casual staff and half of its permanent staff have been stood down.
“During this time [Carriageworks] has become a Sydney institution attracting one million visitors a year to the site in Redfern and up to 5,000 people every Saturday to the Carriageworks Farmers Market,” French said in a statement via the centre’s website.
“But with restrictions on social…