After more than a year in construction, the State’s newest gallery, the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre will be unveiled next month.

NSW Minister for Arts, Ben Franklin MLC will officially open the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre alongside Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP and Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday 6 March 2022.

The community is invited to be part of the occasion with a special free event in Townhead Park from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with kids’ entertainment including jumping castles and face painting, live music and performances, and a sausage sizzle.

People can also book in free guided tours of the centre.

The $4.08 million building was funded in partnership between Singleton Council and a $2.78 million Create NSW grant, and boasts more than 300 square metres of state-of-the-art gallery space, and two artists’ workshops including wet and digital studios.

The centre will also house Singleton’s Civic Art collection.

The Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre completes Singleton’s Townhead Park precinct, which has been years in the making as a centre for tourism and community connection encompassing the Singleton Visitor Information Centre (VIC) showcasing Hunter Valley operators and products, as well as a café, playground, and children’s bike track.

NSW Minister for Arts, Ben Franklin said the NSW Government is proud to have contributed $2.78 million towards this important cultural and tourism attraction.

“The new Singleton Arts & Culture Centre will be the Hunter Valley’s newest centre of creativity, showcasing the rich culture and heritage of the region,” Ben said.

“Importantly, it will also generate tourism and deliver economic benefits to the local community in the Singleton and Hunter Valley regions.”

Sue said the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre would reflect the Singleton community’s rich heritage and culture, and was much more than a gallery to house paintings and sculptures.

“This centre is something that has been on our community’s wish list for a very long time, and it’s going to be a brilliant base for all that’s happening in showcasing our area as a hub for creativity,” she said.

“The Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre draws a line in the sand, quite literally, that says Singleton is a place for arts and culture. While people might know our area for mining, wine, and agriculture, I can’t wait for them to come inside and experience a new way of looking at Singleton and all that we have to offer.

“This is a fantastic new attraction for Singleton, cementing Townhead Park as a destination for all ages. I look forward to seeing everyone at the opening to celebrate.”

IMAGE | Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore with Member for the Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP at the newly constructed Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre.