Ngurang Arts Residency (BARN)

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Bathurst Regional Council is seeking community feedback on the Ngurang Arts Residency (BARN) project to inform future decision making regarding the facility.

The project was identified in the ‘Cultural Vision’ adopted by Council in June 2017. Between 2019 and 2021, consultation was undertaken with numerous local arts agencies and groups which developed the concept of a performing arts residency further. The project, initially titled the ‘Bathurst Arts Residency NSW’ (BARN), was successful in receiving grant funding from the NSW State Government in July 2022. Further grant funding has been sought to cover unanticipated cost escalations, with an application currently lodged with the Federal Government’s ‘Growing Regions’ program. The outcome of this application is pending. Council has committed not to utilise internal funds for the construction of the facility. Council has a deadline of December 2026 to complete the project under the current funding agreement.

‘Ngurang’, meaning “home, place, camp, nest”, was adopted in November 2023 as the final operational name for the facility reflecting First Nations cultural connection. ‘BARN’ continues to be used as the working project name.

The intent of the facility is to be a place for creative development, rehearsal and training utilised by a range of specialist and community groups supporting the development of the performing arts in the Central West and acting as a creative hub. It would also enable expansion of the Local Stages program, increasing access to development spaces for local artists and retaining talent from the region for local creation of works.

Council is seeking broader community feedback on the project. Specific comments are requested regarding:

  • Whether there is significant community support for the premise of the facility and its objectives

  • The financial viability of Council operating the facility, with reference to the economic modelling provided and the project’s potential public value.

  • Potential social and economic benefits to the community

Have your say on the project by completing our survey below. Submissions can also be sent to

Bathurst Regional Council, PMB17, Bathurst 2795 or emailed to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Submissions close 4pm Friday 10 January 2025.

The document library includes a range of information relating to the project including applications for grant funding submitted to the NSW and Federal Governments.

Image credit: Sibling Architecture

Bathurst Regional Council is seeking community feedback on the Ngurang Arts Residency (BARN) project to inform future decision making regarding the facility.

The project was identified in the ‘Cultural Vision’ adopted by Council in June 2017. Between 2019 and 2021, consultation was undertaken with numerous local arts agencies and groups which developed the concept of a performing arts residency further. The project, initially titled the ‘Bathurst Arts Residency NSW’ (BARN), was successful in receiving grant funding from the NSW State Government in July 2022. Further grant funding has been sought to cover unanticipated cost escalations, with an application currently lodged with the Federal Government’s ‘Growing Regions’ program. The outcome of this application is pending. Council has committed not to utilise internal funds for the construction of the facility. Council has a deadline of December 2026 to complete the project under the current funding agreement.

‘Ngurang’, meaning “home, place, camp, nest”, was adopted in November 2023 as the final operational name for the facility reflecting First Nations cultural connection. ‘BARN’ continues to be used as the working project name.

The intent of the facility is to be a place for creative development, rehearsal and training utilised by a range of specialist and community groups supporting the development of the performing arts in the Central West and acting as a creative hub. It would also enable expansion of the Local Stages program, increasing access to development spaces for local artists and retaining talent from the region for local creation of works.

Council is seeking broader community feedback on the project. Specific comments are requested regarding:

  • Whether there is significant community support for the premise of the facility and its objectives

  • The financial viability of Council operating the facility, with reference to the economic modelling provided and the project’s potential public value.

  • Potential social and economic benefits to the community

Have your say on the project by completing our survey below. Submissions can also be sent to

Bathurst Regional Council, PMB17, Bathurst 2795 or emailed to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Submissions close 4pm Friday 10 January 2025.

The document library includes a range of information relating to the project including applications for grant funding submitted to the NSW and Federal Governments.

Image credit: Sibling Architecture

  • Ngurang (BARN) submission

    Council has received a State Government grant of $4.78million to support the development of the Bathurst Arts Residency NSW (BARN) project. The outcome of a grant application with the Federal Government is pending. Council has a deadline of December 2026 to complete the project under the current funding agreement. 

    Council has to date spent $733,295 on the project. 

    Council has said it will only build BARN if it is fully grant funded. Additionally, it is expected to operate at a small surplus and to not place further financial pressure on Council’s finances with total annual operational and overhead costs of $157,656 and commercial revenue of $201,560 in year one of operation. Should the facility fail to achieve anticipated targets, any financial deficits would be funded via Council’s operational budgets. 

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Page last updated: 18 Dec 2024, 12:00 PM