Carclew is an Australian youth arts centre based in Adelaide, South Australia. It was founded in 1971 as the South Australian Performing Arts Centre, with its name changed on several occasions to variations of Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre, until it was renamed to simply Carclew in 2013. Its name is derived from the historic mansion North Adelaide in which it is based, also known as Carclew.
As of 2024[update] Marjorie Fitz-Gerald, an arts philanthropist who was instrumental in the establishment of Carclew, is patron of Carclew.
History
In 1971 Premier Don Dunstan created the South Australian Performing Arts Centre for Young People, which was incorporated in 1972. Based at the historic home known as Carclew in North Adelaide, the centre was renamed the Carclew Youth Arts Centre in 1976. Its mandate was changed in 1982 to focus on performing arts, and the name was changed to the Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre.[1]
From late 1988, the mandate was widened to include a broader range of the arts, and to include people up to 26 years old and the name changed back to Carclew Youth Arts Centre to reflect this in March 1991. In 2009 the name again changed, this time to Carclew Youth Arts, and finally to Carclew in 2013.[1]
Carclew is unique in South Australia as a multi-art-form centre for young people. It runs programs, workshops, projects and funding opportunities, including scholarships, project grants and mentoring opportunities. It also provides connections with schools and other arts organisations.[2]
In February 2019, a new program by Creative Consultants was launched through Carclew, to help young artists to earn a stable income over the course of their careers.[3] Also in 2019, the City of Adelaide is collaborating with Carclew to deliver the "Emerging Curator Program", a six-month engagement in which three aspiring curators are supported in their professional development.[4]
Governance
History
The centre was managed by the Youth Performing Arts Council from 1980, which was established specifically to manage Carclew. After a need for an organisation with a broader focus to manage youth arts policy and programs, the South Australian Youth Arts Board was created and took over in November 1988, at which time the centre's focus was also expanded.[1]
In July 2019, the state budget slashed funding to the History Trust, Carclew and Windmill, as part of "operational efficiency" cuts.[6]
In October 2024, a new four-year strategic plan was published, under CEO Mimi Crowe.[7] At the same time, Megan Antcliff was announced as new chair, after former chair Rachel Healy had resigned after being appointed CEO of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.[8]
Today
As of October 2024[update], Megan Antcliff is chair of the board[8] and Mimi Crowe is CEO of Carclew.[7]
Marjorie Fitz-Gerald, an arts philanthropist who was instrumental in the establishment of Carclew, is patron.[7][9]
Awards and scholarships
From 2002[10] or earlier until 2016, in some years Carclew has offered awards and scholarships to young creatives, including:[11]
^"Ruby Litchfield (nee Skinner)". Old Prospectors of South Australia - people connected to Prospect, South Australia. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2024.