The old Severn Shire Council building on Bourke Street will open its doors to the public this month, giving residents their first look at its transformation into a new School of Arts & Music designed to become a creative hub for the Glen Innes community.
Glen Innes Severn Council will host a community Open Day on Saturday 20 June, from 10am to 3pm, at the heritage-listed former council chambers at 181 Bourke Street. The event marks the first opportunity for locals and visitors to explore the repurposed building and see how it is being reshaped for arts, music and cultural use.
The official opening will be led by Mayor Margot Davis at 11am, with activities continuing throughout the day across the building.
“This is more than a look-through, it’s a chance to get involved,” Cr Davis said.
“We already have a strong and active arts and music sector in Glen Innes. This Open Day is about inviting the community in to see what this new space can offer. Council has created the opportunity here, but it’s the community who will bring it to life.”
The Open Day will feature a wide range of demonstrations, workshops and performances, showcasing how the space could be used on an ongoing basis. Visitors will be able to take part in or observe sessions spanning music, choir, songwriting, poetry and creative writing, performing arts, pottery, and visual arts.
Council says additional activities are still being finalised, with more to be announced in the lead-up to the event as the program continues to grow.
The building itself carries a long civic history. Once the administrative heart of the former Severn Shire, it was constructed in the early 1900s following the establishment of Severn Shire in 1906 and served as the centre of local government for nearly a century before the 2004 amalgamation that formed Glen Innes Severn Council. Its latest chapter will now see it shift from civic administration to creative and community use.
The School of Arts & Music is part of a two-year council-approved pilot program aimed at activating underused public assets and turning them into shared spaces for community benefit. Activities under the program will include music lessons, workshops, rehearsals, recitals, small performances and creative classes, with programming expected to evolve in response to community interest.
Cr Davis said the Open Day is intended to be as much about participation as observation.
“This Open Day is a fantastic opportunity where people can come in, see the space in action and understand how they can use it,” she said.
“For anyone curious about what’s happening inside, or how to get involved, the message is simple, come through the doors and experience it for yourself.”
Residents are encouraged to watch Glen Innes Severn Council channels for updates as the program is finalised, including session times and any activities that may require registration.
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