Campbelltown Arts Centre expansion

Hawkridge Entertainment Services (HES) provided a comprehensive suite of consultancy and management services for the Campbelltown Arts Centre expansion project.

Campbelltown City Council were successful in securing State Government funding to deliver transformational infrastructure projects across the Campbelltown Local Government Area. One of these projects was the Campbelltown Arts Centre (CAC) Expansion. The CAC is the premier cultural institution in Sydney’s South West, recognised for placing artist and community at the center of a high quality contemporary artistic program. The CAC Expansion is a $79m project that aims to build on the strengths of existing infrastructure, creating improved access to arts and cultural activities for the Macarthur community.

An expanded CAC will enable new partnerships with the education and health sectors while improving the overall financial sustainability of this nationally recognised facility. It will meet the aspirations of the Macarthur community by becoming a significant regional arts and cultural facility for one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.

HES work focused on thorough research, planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic analysis to ensure the project meets the community’s cultural aspirations while remaining financially viable.

Baseline Research and Gap Analysis

HES began by reviewing all relevant local, state, and national policies, including Campbelltown’s strategic documents and Create NSW’s plans. Through extensive research on existing facilities, arts programs and competitor offerings, they identified gaps and opportunities that would shape the new Arts Centre’s functions. They compiled these findings into a report that outlined local cultural needs and potential growth areas.

User Profiles and Area Schedules

HES produced comprehensive User Profile Models and Area Schedules to detail the spatial requirements and functional relationships of the new Arts Centre. This included plans for reflection and exchange spaces, workshop and art-making rooms, rehearsal and performance areas, gallery/exhibition zones and cultural collection facilities. Considerations such as technical needs, dual-use capabilities and parking requirements were integral to these recommendations.

Functional Brief Requirements

Working closely with Council experts, HES translated the research and user requirements into a clear Functional Brief. This document outlined the primary activities (creation, display, performance, storage) the Centre should support and the specific facilities needed (e.g., workshop studios, exhibition spaces, performance theatres). The aim was to ensure that the new Arts Centre would not only foster creativity and cultural experiences but also respond effectively to future community demands.

Financial Feasibility Study

HES conducted detailed financial analyses covering car parking, theatre seating numbers, and hospitality offerings. By assessing demand, market trends and revenue potentials the team determined each component’s financial viability. They provided insights on optimal seating capacity, café and wedding/function facilities & bar operations, ensuring these elements contribute positively to the Centre’s sustainability.

Operational Models

HES reviewed operational models drawn from successful arts centres globally and regionally. Each model addressed staffing levels, governance structures and day-to-day processes required to maintain cultural collections and deliver diverse programming. These models were aligned with the Centre’s Functional Brief and designed to flexibly accommodate future expansions or new initiatives, ensuring operational efficiency and longevity.

Value Engineering Advice

In collaboration with Council and the Quantity Surveyor/Cost Planner, HES contributed comparative analyses and recommendations to ensure the Centre stayed on budget. They facilitated a value-engineering exercise that balanced cost savings with design integrity, ensuring the project’s long-term viability without compromising its cultural objectives.

How we help

Hawkridge Entertainment Services provides a range of services for organisations including strategic analysis, feasibility development and business case writing. We are experts in the development of cultural infrastructure. Some of our recent projects are:

We deliver successful outcomes by finding solutions to complex issues. We listen to stakeholders and complete tasks in the timeframes required.

Other similar projects completed by Hawkridge Entertainment Services are available here.