Casula Powerhouse is a multi-disciplinary arts centre that has 9 galleries (with changing exhibitions produced and presented by Casula Powerhouse), a 328-seat theatre, artist studios, Clayhouse Ceramics Studio, live-in facilities for artists, internal and external public artworks, collection storage facility, Liverpool Art Society Studio, retail areas and green open spaces: Weaving Garden, Alice Klaphake Amphitheatre, 20 hectares of parklands.
The original Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is a striking and successful example of adaptive re-use of a former industrial facility. The building was originally a power station that was built in 1950 during the post-WWII electricity shortage, as an interim measure while the state-wide electricity grid was being established. The power station would later become a contemporary multi-arts facility.
Opened in 1994, the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is located on the banks on the Georges River, within the City of Liverpool. The arts centre embraces a philosophy of both heritage and contemporary design.
The Centre has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s leading community cultural development organisations. Currently, the Centre produces one hundred percent of its own exhibitions, public programs and special events. This has seen the development of a national touring program that has reached every metropolitan and regional city in Australia, with landmark projects such as “Viet Nam Voices”, “Cyber Cultures”, “Shanghai Star” and “Anita & Beyond”.
The Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre offers art and heritage programs, tours, workshops, after-school classes, school holiday workshops and seminars throughout the year. Currently guided tours, workshops, Indigenous programs and opportunities to “meet the artist” are available for groups and can be tailored to meet the needs of students as an outreach program or at the Liverpool Regional Museum.
Residencies by well-known artists are part of the program with Stelarc the first artist to stay in the studio and other well known Australian artists such as Guan Wei, Yvonne Koolmatrie and Gordon Hookey. Exhibitions include education inter-actives or activities to further engage visitors both young and old plus teachers notes and education resources are available.
