THE OPEN HOUSE PROJECT

The Open House Project celebrates a ground breaking three-year cultural partnership (2012 – 2015) between Glasshouse, Port Macquarie and Sydney Opera House.

Launched on 6 October 2011 at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie as the first of its kind in Australia, the project’s purpose is to deepen cultural engagement, broaden educational reach and learning, and forge new experiences and connections between two great creative hubs in NSW.

This joint project will share knowledge between the two institutions in a way that has never been fully realised and will explore new and exciting ways to encourage innovation and the creative flow of knowledge in regional areas.

This unique partnership will enrich and re-energise regional cultural life for all members of the community, and provide regional audiences with a range of previously unattainable cultural and education programs.

OUR VISION

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

The Open House Project will bring acclaimed productions from Sydney Opera House to the Glasshouse, providing cultural experiences previously only available to metropolitan audiences.

The program kicks off with family favourite Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition appearing on stage in the Glasshouse in early January 2012. Up to 20 Sydney Opera House programs and performances will transfer from the stages of Sydney Opera House direct to the Glasshouse. The program will include international headline acts from the Just for Laughs and Vivid LIVE festivals, live digital feeds from the Festival of Dangerous Ideas and Sydney Opera House’s thought provoking talks series Ideas at the House.

BROADENING EDUCATION

Education is a key focus of The Open House Project and will bring new experiences to young people and school students via live performances, workshops and interactive digital experiences. The program will also enable the professional development of teachers and artists in the region with training and placement opportunities at both the Glasshouse and Sydney Opera House.

NEW COMMUNITY PATHWAYS

The Open House Project will build strong business and tourism networks between Sydney Opera House, the Glasshouse and the broader Port Macquarie Mid-North Coast region. The diverse performance program, acclaimed world-class acts and new educational experiences will build Port Macquarie and the region’s profile as a vibrant, lively and culturally rich destination of choice.

The first segment of the 2012 program will be released in December 2011.

OUR PARTNERSHIP

"Sydney Opera House is an asset owned by all the people of NSW so The Open House Project is our way of ensuring everyone can experience the Sydney Opera House at its best. We hope to one day have additional Sydney Opera House cultural hubs set up for communities across regional NSW and Australia.

“This program is multi layered and goes beyond simply taking artists to the Glasshouse. It will deliver strong education outcomes in the region but will also give the Mid-North Coast and the Glasshouse the rich profile it deserves. The Glasshouse is one of the most beautiful venues I’ve seen certainly in Australia, but also around the world.”

Richard Evans
Chief Executive, Sydney Opera House

“The great thing about this partnership is that it is a bipartisan approach to deliver a program which will excite our audiences and benefit our community. By tapping into areas such as education, culture and tourism, The Open House Project can deliver real results to Port Macquarie and the Mid-North Coast region. We are thrilled to work with the Sydney Opera House, to be a second home for its artists, and to deliver this innovative program to our regional community.”

Joe Conneely
Manager, Glasshouse Port Macquarie