In recent years the art scene has suffered something terribly here in Perth. The Northbridge Tunnel literally tore apart our city’s chic ghetto and hotbed of creative talent. As progress sluiced a path through our streets, old buildings with cheap rent were tore down, leaving hundreds of artists without studio spaces. Those who sought sanctuary in the streets of Perth CBD also soon found themselves displaced as low cost buildings were renovated into luxury rentals. The scene in Perth and its immediate area has gone from over 30 buildings offering approximately 170 studio spaces 20 years ago to less than half a dozen buildings offering just over 30 artist studio spaces today.

That, however, is all set to change after an announcement at the beginning of June that the Gasworks Buildings – a rambling old warehouse space located on Wellington Street in the Perth CBD – would be converted into a series of artist studio spaces. The move, spearheaded by City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, will see Gasworks being leased to Artsource over a 10 year period. Renovations – and consequent artist residencies – are expected to take place by the end of the year.

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‘We hope that it will become a stimulating environment for artists of all kinds,’ Ms Scaffidi said. ‘There is the opportunity for a sculpture studio that would allow for large scale public art to be made – at the moment the lack of well located and suitably spacious studios has limited the ability for sculptors to work to their full capacity.’

But it appears to be only the beginning for Scaffidi’s new vision for Perth’s Creative Industry. The Lord Mayor hopes that Perth’s artists will once again find refuge in the city through the assistance of those in the private sector.

‘We are continuing to talk with the State Government about some of the problems which have caused the situation where upper levels of old buildings have been left empty,’ said Ms Scaffidi. ‘Many of these spaces would be ideal for artist studios.’

The support doesn’t stop there either. It’s hoped that a rejuvenation of the arts can occur through breathing new life into Perth’s laneways, a project that will begin with McLean’s Laneway, which runs adjacent to Gasworks.

‘I hope that a more distinctively Perth laneway scene can be created here. That is already happening, with the activation of Wolfe Lane, for example. There are plans underway to activate many of the city’s laneways by supporting and encouraging businesses to activate under-utilised properties and spaces within the laneways.

‘By working with building owners, as we do not own any suitable buildings, we are encouraging them to support the Creative Industries sector to gain space in the city,’ said Ms Scaffidi. ‘They may be more inclined to be in laneways as costs are cheaper there. This will support vitality, as well as diversifying our business base.’

In the meantime, though, other art collectives are starting to suffer as they feel the financial pinch from rising rents. The Ballroom (www.the-ballroom.com.au) is an arts collective which exists over on Murray Street – but only for the moment. This space for experimentation and evolution is an epicenter for youthful creativity and houses a variety of fashion designers, artists, graphic designers and photographers. But the huge cavernous open floor plan of The Ballroom is about to close its doors and relocate.

‘Earlier this year with the boom in WA and interest rates rising the collective could not afford to renew the lease at their Perth city space,’ said Ballroom coordinator Desi Letis. ‘Prices in the city were skyrocketing and another art collective in Perth city, Palm Court had just closed down for the same reasons. There is a serious shortage of studio spaces available to artists in Perth which is why a number of artists leave for the east coast.’

Ms Scaffidi, however, remains optimistic that Perth’s artistic community can be reinvigorated and renewed and that the City of Perth Council is investigating a variety of ways through which this can become viable.

‘I believe the Council can play a constructive role by making available low cost space which can be used by artists,’ concluded Ms Scaffidi. ‘By attracting creative people into the heart of our city a stronger artistic community can evolve and inspire others as well.’

Artsource is one of the best resources available for discovering artist studio spaces, with a list of sites throughout the Perth metropolitan area listed online at www.artsource.net.au/studios/studios_intro.htm.