A major milestone in the expansion of the Campbelltown Arts Centre has been reached following the completion of the concept designs for the $84.6m development.
The design has taken inspiration from Campbelltown's natural landscape and Dharawal Country and cultural practices. Through thoughtful consideration of important local history, traditions and landscapes, the design deepens connection to Country.
Drawing on traditional weaving references, as well as the site's unique topography and rich history as a place of gathering, storytelling, and shared understanding, the design honours Campbelltown Arts Centre's cultural significance and deep community connections.
The expansion will deliver a striking new theatre space, vibrant new gallery spaces, versatile function and conference facilities, additional workshop spaces, artist studios, and a larger café.
A major feature of the design is the reorientation of the entry to Art Gallery Road, enhancing accessibility and wayfinding, and strengthening the building's connection to the Campbelltown city centre.
Visitors will be welcomed through a spacious forecourt and outdoor terraces that enhance the visitor experience and connect the Arts Centre with the Japanese Gardens and city centre. The forecourt will provide opportunities for activations and events, and lead visitors into a central atrium with a café, foyer, retail and box office.
Landscaping will deepen the connection to Country and support Campbelltown's urban greening goals. The landscaping will be enriched with endemic plantings, soft edges, and vegetation that reflect the local ecology and complement the Japanese Garden.
"Campbelltown Arts Centre is a cornerstone of our city's story and a proud reflection of our community's identity," said Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound.
"This thoughtfully designed expansion, inspired by our local culture and environment, reinforces the Centre's role as a cherished gathering place for our community and a vibrant destination for visitors to our region."
"Seeing the vision come to life through the concept designs marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Campbelltown Arts Centre. The expansion strengthens our capacity to deliver exceptional arts and cultural experiences, while ensuring they remain accessible to everyone in our community."
"I want to thank fjcstudio for their deep engagement, which has resulted in a design that honours Campbelltown's cultural heritage and delivers a bold, future-focused vision of excellence," Cr Lound said.
"Campbelltown Arts Centre is an icon of our electorate, and this partnership between the NSW Government and Campbelltown City Council will deliver a fantastic boost to our local culture and environment," said Mr Greg Warren MP, Member for Campbelltown, and Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney.
"The additional support for the arts in our electorate is something that our community not only needs, but deserves, and I am proud to see this being delivered by the NSW Government and Campbelltown City Council," Mr Warren said.
"Reaching this milestone is the result of a highly engaged and collaborative process with user groups, staff, subject experts and consultants. We are delighted at the enthusiasm and dedication of stakeholders to truly engage and guide us in the development of the design," said Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director at fjcstudios.
"It is really encouraging to hear that participants feel heard and can see their insights embedded in the evolving plans. While the early concepts began to interpret the brief and outline needs, the workshop process has brought the unique opportunities and activities of Campbelltown Arts Centre into sharp focus."
"There is a growing sense of excitement from everyone we work with, to make this precinct something quite remarkable and responsive to its community," Francis-Jones said.
"It is important that Elders and community have been able to contribute to the planning and design of the new Arts Centre. The Connecting to Country strategy has given us a voice in the planning process of new developments, a voice that we have not had before," said Aunty Glenda Chalker, Dharawal Elder.
"Through being genuinely engaged, we have been able to influence what projects like the Arts Centre will not only look like, but to make them feel welcoming to all cultures, through our Aboriginal Heritage," Aunty Glenda Chalker said.
Stakeholder and Aboriginal engagement has been undertaken to inform the concept design to ensure it reflects local values, cultural connections, and the needs of the people who will use and enjoy the space. Engagement will continue over the coming months as the ultimate design is finalised.
This project will utilise 100% renewable energy with a combination of maximising onsite renewable energy generation and procurement of Green Power, as a part of the project's goal of being an Ecologically Sustainable Development.
Other sustainability initiatives include a focus on reuse and adaptation of the existing building where possible, a principle that has been an important part of the new design, along with ensuring the building is designed for water efficiency and thermal performance.
The Campbelltown Arts Centre Expansion Project is set to commence construction in early 2027 with completion expected in early 2029.
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program ($79m), with additional funding provided through the Campbelltown Local Infrastructure Plan ($5.6m).
