Carriageworks Goes Into Voluntary Administration

Australia’s largest contemporary multi-arts centre, Carriageworks, says the sudden cancellation and postponement of six months of works due to the Covid-19 lockdown has caused an irreparable loss of income, giving it no other choice but to appoint voluntary administrators.

“With restrictions on social gatherings likely to remain in place for some time to come, the board determined that it had no alternative but to place the company into voluntary administration,” Carriageworks CEO Blair French said in a statement.

“Following the earlier loss of shifts for casual staff, in early April we stood down almost half of our core staff and asked those remaining to move to a three-day week. Focussing on essential work only, we have been striving to find a way through the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.”

The inner-west arts company, which presents work by hundreds of artists and companies from around Australia and the world each year, generates 75 per cent of its revenue outside of government funding, primarily through on-site events and programs.

The arts hub opened in 2007 and each year hosts one million visitors – events such as Sydney Writers’ Festival, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the design event Semi Permanent. Each Saturday up to 5000 people visit the site for the Carriageworks Farmers Market, which had to be suspended due to the coronavirus restrictions.

“The Carriageworks board regret that this action has had to be taken. They are mindful of the impact of this situation upon independent artists and partner companies across the performing and visual arts at a time when the effects of Covid-19 related closures have made this sector so vulnerable. The board remain hopeful that the Carriageworks facility will be able re-open to artists and community alike once New South Wales emerges from the effects of the current pandemic,” said French.

Auditing firm KPMG’s Phil Quinlan and Morgan Kelly have been appointed the administrators. “We will be exploring the possibility of a Deed of Company Arrangement to stabilise Carriageworks’s financial position and allow it to continue its important role for Australian arts and culture. All options are on the table for consideration,” Quinlan said.