New season get-together at Arts House to chat and exchange

Locals are invited to a family-friendly neighbourhood gathering at North Melbourne’s Arts House on February 25 for coffee, chats, and to hear what is coming up for its first season of 2025 – the centre's 20th anniversary. 

Arts House’s Season 1 “will feature uprising, robots, emergency drills, sign language opera, places for gathering, international exchange, and a big celebration.” But what is behind it?

Locals and neighbouring communities can find out more about all that’s in store from 10. 30am to 12pm on February 25 at North Melbourne Town Hall. However, Arts House artistic director Olivia Anderson said that those involved naturallyt wouldn’t be giving too much away. 

“We do not go through the programme in detail,” Ms Anderson told North West City News, adding that the event, which has typically attracted around 60 people in the past, was all about enjoying a cup of coffee together, meeting the team, and having a look behind the scenes at how staff and artists worked. 

“Arts House is often seen just as a venue where we put on shows,” she said. “We want to invite people in to interact with us on a different level, in quite a gentle way, sit with us and have a free morning tea.”

Along with Ms Anderson and creative producer Louana Sainsbury, guests can also connect with local resident and floral artist Veisinia Tonga and CultureLAB artist Stéphanie Ghajar. 

In what marks the 20th anniversary of Arts House’s curated programming, locals can expect a party, plenty of performances, photography from the archives and much more throughout March and April. 

This year’s program, the culmination of ongoing conversations “over many years” according to Ms Anderson, will comprise a diverse range of artforms that “will look back and forward to the future.”

“We will look at how we got to where we are today, at the artists we have worked with, and the stories that they have been telling,” she said. 

Eager to share works that addressed the climate crisis and emergency management in “fun and surprising ways,” Ms Anderson said the season would open with a celebration of art from across Asia Pacific with the return of Asia TOPA. 

In a ground-breaking new collaboration GOLDFISH between Tasmanian puppet masters Terrapin Theatre and Japan’s Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, audiences can expect “an innovative, artistic response to climate change” where familiar items such as a tarpaulin “come to life” as “a surging ocean”. 

As part of the neighbourhood gathering, visitors can view a behind the scenes rehearsal excerpt from GOLDFISH as a unique opportunity ahead of its premiere in Asia TOPA the following day.

The new season will also welcome back South Korean artist Geumhyung Jeong, presenting evacuation procedures during a fire drill in an unexpectedly funny way, while Irene Holub and Walter Kadiki will present their new deaf lead opera 1880: Manifesto of Silences over eight weeks. 

In March, the Makeshift series includes a three-day workshop led by Lana Nguyen as guests explore site-responsive work as a form of climate response. 

The 20 years of ongoing support of hundreds of new Australian works will then be celebrated with a huge day of celebration on April 5.

“It will be a big day-long event that will be hosted by artists that we have worked with for a long time, will include family interactions with the venues, and will turn into more of a party in the evening,” Ms Anderson told North West City News.

Award-winning visual artist Dr Paola Balla will then lead the next curatorial takeover in partnership with YIRRAMBOI as Blak Women’s Healing raises the voice of Aboriginal women through an immersive exhibition. 

“It will take over all parts of the North Melbourne Town Hall and include installations, talks and workshops over six weeks,” Ms Anderson said. “I think it is going to be a really moving tribute to these women.”

The season closes with Joel Bray Dance’s MONOLITH. In partnership with RISING, the world premiere of this epic new dance work will take the audience on a powerful journey from a highly celebrated creator. 

The free neighbourhood gathering on February 25 has been supported by City of Melbourne. Bookings are preferred but walk-ins are also welcome.

There’s also a special $15 ticket price for all Arts House ticketed shows for local residents. Use the code LOCAL at checkout.

To enquire and for more information: artshouse.com.au •