The Convent is thrilled to announce that its next building project has the go ahead and soon, the first floor of the grand old dame which is Rosina will begin its new life as a major new performing arts rehearsal facility.

In the Convent’s former incarnation, Rosina was used by the Sisters and their young charges for assemblies and theatrical performances. So, in order to honour this history, as well as to ensure a mix of creative and cultural enterprises across the site, Rosina is to become a much needed new community venue for performing arts enterprises.

In a fabulous fundraising effort, the Convent has secured grants from the The Dara Foundation, Department of Transport and Regional Services Regional Partnerships Program, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Victor and Fleur Spitzer, The Dyson Bequest, as well as several smaller donations from Convent supporters.

The making of Mercator

Mercator is the Convent’s next priority for redevelopment. At the eastern edge of the precinct, Philip Stokes Studio Glass provides the prototype for Mercator. Mercator is for the makers; the artisans and craftspeople who need space at scale, with wet areas and industrial equipment. Downstairs, hard arts studios will house a variety of artisans, potentially including welders, ceramists, sculptors, potters, furniture makers and printmakers. Mercator’s upstairs will become two visiting artists-in-residence facilities.

Importantly, Mercator will have a community access agenda, including demonstrations, workshops, training opportunities and retail outlets to allow Mercator’s artisans to sell their wares to the general public.

Excitingly, the Convent has already secured approximately one third of the $3.5 million required for this project.

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The Muse

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