Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts |
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Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts building
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed building |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°56′59″S 115°51′37″E / 31.949792°S 115.860265°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 24 March 2000 |
| Reference no. | 2028 |
The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is a cool place in Perth, Western Australia. It's where you can see amazing modern art, including visual art, performances, and more.
Contents
History of the PICA Building
PICA is located in a really old building at 53 James Street, Northbridge. This building has a long and interesting past!
From School to Arts Centre
The building was built in 1896. For 40 years, it was a school for boys and girls. It was part of a bigger group of schools called Perth Central School. These schools were built between 1877 and 1914. They brought together several schools, like the Infants' School and the Perth Boys' and Girls' Schools, all in one area.
In 1895, a builder named William Atkins won the job to construct the new school building. It cost a lot of money back then! The building was finished a few months later. On January 18, 1897, the new Perth Boys' and Girls' School officially opened. The Minister for Education, Mr. E. H. Wittenoom, was there for the opening.
The school was very big for its time. It could hold 500 boys on the ground floor and 500 girls on the top floor. Building the Boys' School was the largest project for the Education Department in the 1890s. In 1900, two more classrooms were added. Each new room could hold 75 children.
Changes Over the Years
In September 1936, a new Perth Girls' School opened in East Perth. After that, the entire building on James Street was used only by the Boys' School. In 1947, it became Perth Boys' High School.
During the 1950s, fewer families lived in the city centre. Land became more expensive, and people started moving to the suburbs. Because of this, the number of students in the city schools went down.
In 1959, the Perth Boys' High School closed. Another school, the Perth Technical College, moved into the building. It was then known as the James Street Annexe. Over the next few years, some small changes were made, like adding electricity and gas heating.
PICA Finds its Home
In 1988, the technical college moved out. That's when the building became the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)! Architects Donaldson and Warn created plans to update the building.
In 1991, the building was renovated. On November 8, 1991, it officially opened as PICA. The architects even won an award for their work in 1992. They were praised for turning an old building into something new and useful. By 1996, PICA was using the building for many things. It had a cafe, spaces for performances, art galleries, and offices.
What the PICA Building Looks Like
The PICA building has a special design style called Federation Free Classical. It looks fancy with lots of decorations, but it's also serious, fitting for a school. The building was designed to look good from all sides. The main entrances for the boys and girls were especially detailed.
The outside walls are made of brick. There's also a stone base at the bottom. The roof is made of corrugated iron and has a raised part over the main gallery. It has wide overhangs with wooden slats all around. The roof has been replaced, and you can't see any chimneys now.
The building originally had two main entrances. One was for the Girls' School on the side facing James Street. This entrance was at the bottom of a tall tower. Today, this is the main entrance to PICA. The other entrance was for the Boys' School on the western side. It was a single-story porch with three arches.
Inside, you'll see a mix of old and new. Some parts still have their original details. But there are also modern changes and new features from the 1990s when it became an arts centre. For example, there's a new main entrance and a large reception area. There's also a cool timber and steel staircase. Walls were opened up to create bigger spaces. A large open area for performances was made on the ground floor. Steel beams support the gallery above this performance space. There's even a cafe in what used to be two classrooms!
What PICA Does Today
PICA started operating from the James Street building in 1988. Its main goal is to show and promote contemporary art in Western Australia. This includes visual art, performances, and art that mixes different forms.
PICA has a busy schedule all year round. They host many exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. They also have public education programs. These programs help people learn more about art and get involved.
Why PICA is Important
The former Perth Boys and Girls School building is very important to Western Australia's history. It has been recognized for its heritage value by several groups.
The National Trust (WA) officially recognized it in 1978. It was also added to the Register of the National Estate in 1980. This register lists places that are important to Australia's natural and cultural heritage. Finally, it was permanently added to the State Register of Heritage Places on March 24, 2000. This means it's a protected historical site.
