Home

Opera House gets creative with new space

Tony MagnussonAAP
The Centre for Creativity is a place for play, making and collaboration at the Sydney Opera House.
Camera IconThe Centre for Creativity is a place for play, making and collaboration at the Sydney Opera House. Credit: AAP

The Sydney Opera House has debuted its first new purpose-built programming space in more than 20 years, featuring a bright and colourful installation by visual artist Rosie Deacon.

Located in the northwest corner of the ground floor, the Centre for Creativity is a place for play, making and collaboration, Sydney Opera House director of programming Fiona Winning says.

"This space is about bringing artists and audiences closer together and setting your creativity free," Ms Winning said.

Programming will draw on three sources of inspiration.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"We're looking at the First Nations history of the site. We're thinking about the incredible innovation and imagination that went into creating the building itself. And we're also responding to all of the artists who perform on our stages and contribute to the creative energy," she said.

"We're bringing all that together in different ways for kids and families, as well as university students and adults."

Deacon's interactive installation, House Warming, will grow as session participants add their own creations.

"House Warming is a glorious forest of kooky animals made from recycled materials. You can make your own animals, rocks and pompoms and add them to the installation or take them home with you. There's also a dance video to watch and join in with," Ms Winning said.

Running until January 16, House Warming has day and evening sessions available. It's free, but bookings are essential.

"It's school holidays. Kids are craving connection and parents are craving experiences for their kids that are delightful and different," Ms Winning said.

"We want this to be a creative play event that kids connect through, but which also builds collaborative and social skills, and enable them to have a great time."

As the year progresses, expect puppet-making workshops from Tasmanian theatre wizards Terrapin, an Indigenous design day and a multi-sensory experience for babies and 'crawlers' that introduces them to the sights, sounds and touch of rain.

"You can come and learn Afro house dancing, or ballroom voguing, but you can also join an architecture club or attend a drawing class," Ms Winning said.

For more information, visit sydneyoperahouse.com.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails