A Gift to the People of Tasmania

In 1972, Australian corporate giant, John Elliott, purchased Henry Jones IXL, Peacock’s parent company. By 1974 the Peacock Factory had been closed down and was on the market. 

Within a few months, a group of visionary locals including Claudio Alcorso (one of Tasmania’s great arts advocates) saw in the buildings the potential to establish a vibrant community and arts centre in Hobart’s working port area. They formed the Community and Art Centre Foundation, established objectives for the potential Centre and pressured the State Government to purchase the old Peacock Factory. The Salamanca Arts Centre came into being in 1976 when the State Government, led by Premier Bill Neilsen, purchased the seven historic sandstone warehouses in Hobart’s Salamanca Place (along with a cottage in Kelly Street) for the people of Tasmania.

The Government leased the buildings to the Foundation for 99 years at a peppercorn rent. In exchange, the Foundation was responsible for repairing and maintaining the dilapidated buildings and managing a range of diverse arts programs and events, funded through space and venue hire to artists, arts organisations and commercial tenants. Teams of committed and tireless volunteers moved in to clean out nearly 200 years of industrial dust and grime and bring the buildings back to life.

Today, the Arts Centre is the cultural hub of Hobart and the heart of the arts in Tasmania. The buildings themselves house visual and performing arts practitioners, craft and design professionals, film companies, galleries, craft and design shops and retail outlets, arts organisations and public spaces. Rich in history and alive with contemporary arts experiences, exhibitions, music and theatre performances, readings, festivals, forums and workshops – The Salamanca Arts Centre represents the community spirit and passion for the arts that is so much a part of life in Tasmania. 

Acknowledgment:  Dr. David Young, ‘The Peacock Warehouses; a building-by-building history’, 2000.

Discover Us – Self Guided Tour

The seven sandstone warehouses that are home to the Salamanca Arts Centre have a rich and fascinating history. On Site Insight is a self-guided tour and pocket history of our buildings and their role in Hobart’s history. Download a copy here.

Photo by Greg Hind
Hindsight Photographics