The Lock-Up

The Lock-Up is a place of vital encounter between the arts and audiences of today, housed within Muloobinba/Newcastle’s original 1861 lock-up on Awabakal and Worimi Country. They support the production, commission, research, residencies and presentation of contemporary multiform art. They are a space to investigate the social issues of today and the cultural forms of tomorrow through critical, artist-led, multidisciplinary and experimental practice. The Lock-Up firmly believes in artists taking risks.
Located in one of Newcastle’s most significant heritage buildings, The Lock-Up is an award-winning independent multidisciplinary contemporary arts space and inner-city creative hub. Listed in the NSW Heritage Register, The Lock-Up was the Newcastle Police Station and lock-up from 1861 until its closure in 1982.
The building includes a purpose-built gallery space, rare heritage-listed cells, an event and installation space in the former exercise yard, and an on-site apartment for multidisciplinary residencies.