Forbes Arts Society (FAS) has revealed its vision for the former Forbes Ambulance Station building.
Located on the corner of Lachlan and Court Streets, the prominent building is set to house an expanded art gallery, meeting rooms, performance and workshop spaces as well as a cafe.
The $5.7 million Lachlan Valley Arts and Cultural Development aims to grow the Forbes and Lachlan Shire and the Lachlan Valley visitor economy and promote the region as a premier tourism destination.
In addition to the new Forbes Cultural Centre, the project also includes the commissioning of 15 new sculptures to extend the Sculpture down the Lachlan Trail and the redevelopment of the bird hides at the Gum Swamp wetlands.
Forbes Arts Society’s Dr Keith Mullette said: “While we are in the early design phase for the new Cultural Centre, preliminary work has already commenced on parts of the new bird hides, and there are three new sculptures ready for installation along the Lachlan Valley Way”.
“Over the next three years we will see our vision of developing Forbes as a cultural and arts hub come to fruition and hopefully incorporating the Shires of the valley. This certainly is an exciting game changer for tourism in our region,” said Keith.
Residents are invited to learn more about the project at a public meeting to be held next Wednesday, 12th February at the Forbes Services Club commencing at 5.30pm.
The Lachlan Valley Arts and Cultural Development is jointly funded by the NSW Government under the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, Evolution Mining, Forbes Shire Council and Lachlan Shire Council and the Forbes Arts Society.