You are free to reuse and adapt this work providing the work is not used in a commercial setting and you attribute Sutherland Shire Libraries as the copyright owner without indicating that the Library endorses you or the work. Any other usage must be negotiated by contacting the Library. Please use the following attribution statement: Courtesy of the Local Studies Collection, Sutherland Shire Libraries

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Citation for this item

Cronulla School of Arts

Main

Collection SummaryThe Cronulla School of Arts at Surf Rd has a history going back over 100 years.HistoryThe Cronulla School of Arts Committee was established in 1903. Construction started on the original weatherboard building, on the corner of Surf Rd and Cronulla Rd began in 1904 and was completed in 1907. Construction began on a newer next door in 1912 (the present location on the corner of Surf Rd/Surf Ln), which was officially opened on 19 April 1913. The original weatherboard building was demolished in 1955.

The Cronulla School of Arts hosted a library, meetings, concerts and social events. In fact, billiards played a significant role in attracting membership and funds through the early part of the 20th century. Then, in 1946, the president called for members to form clubs within the School of Arts. As a result, the Cronulla School of Arts Dramatic Society was established and began to stage performances in venues throughout the Sutherland Shire. The library remained in the building but was run by Sutherland Shire Council from 1955, after the Public Libraries Act 1939 encouraged local governments to create free public libraries.

A decline in use around this time resulted in the School of Arts committee being disbanded. The site of the original weatherboard cottage was sold and in 1961-62 negotiations were underway to transfer ownership of the School of Arts building to the Council. The Dramatic Society had changed their name to the Cronulla School of Arts Theatre Group in 1958 and began to hold their performances in the auditorium of the School of Arts building. Faced with the loss of their performance space the Theatre Group reconstituted the School of Arts committee in 1961 and set about negotiating to retain control of the building. Over the next 2 years the theatre group made the necessary improvements to gain a license for public performance at the School of Arts and their first production – Will any Gentleman? – opened in November 1963, under the new name Arts Theatre Cronulla.

In the 1930s 3 shops were leased in the front of the building to generate income. Through the early 1960s the new committee closed the billiard hall, expanding the available rental space to generate more income. The Library was moved across the road to the old Methodist Church building between 1969 and 1975.

Arts Theatre Cronulla are still operating in this location with several associated groups also utilising the facility.

Vertical File

[Certificate] Grant for School of Arts and Mechanics' Institute

[Plan] Cronulla School of Arts Proposed Extension

[Program] Production of Proof by David Auburn

[Program] Production of Table Manners by Alan Ayckbourn

[Program] Production of The Anniversary by Bill McIlwraith

[Program] Production of Daylight Saving by Nick Enright

[Program] Production of Season's Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn

[Program] Production of Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon

[Program] Production of Brush with a Body by Maurice McLoughlin

[Program] Production of Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett

[Program] Production of The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard

Photograph

Cronulla School of Arts, Surf Road Cronulla

Cronulla Library

Opening of Cronulla School of Arts, ca. 1890s

Cronulla School of the Arts, ca. 1911

Cronulla School of Arts with crowds and banners in the foreground, ca. 1911

Cronulla School of Arts with flag at half-mast on the right, ca. early 1900s

Cronulla School of Arts with people walking past and children grouped near the lamp post, ca. early 1900s

Cronulla School of Arts in Yowie Street, Cronulla, ca. 1911

Map

Water frontages Cronulla Saltaire Estate : auction sale on the ground at 3 p.m. Saturday 6th April 1918

The McAlister Estate Cronulla

Excelsior Estate Lots 2,3,5,6,7,8,9, & 10, Sec. 1, and Riviera Estate Lot 2, Sec. A : these large liberal choice lots for auction sale on the ground Easter Monday 9th April 1917 at 3.30 p.m.

Person

John Hill

Organisation

Arts Theatre Cronulla

Details

CategoryPropertyGeolocation^[1]

Connections

PlacesCronullaSubjectsCronulla - School Of ArtsCronulla School of Arts (N.S.W.)Cronulla School of Arts (N.S.W.) -- History.

Start typing here to find a location	Latitude	Longitude	Zoom	Actions

loading google map....

Save Cancel