NEW hope for Freo’s arts scene has emerged with Fremantle Press and CircusWA announcing they have jointly purchased the historic SEC Substation on Parry Street. 

In a “much needed” and “ambitious” collaboration, a section of the Substation will be transformed into offices for the 50-year-old Press, and the rest will be occupied by CircusWA’s studio once it is refitted. 

The collaboration is a hard-earned lifeline for CircusWA, which has been fighting to stay in the air since 2017 when it moved into a now-ageing big top, says artistic director Jo Smith. 

• Circus WA and Fremantle Press have teamed up to buy the old SEC Substation on Parry Street. Photo by Tashi Hall

“At the moment, we have a big top that is in major decline, and the decision has always been that we would not replace its skin, because it’s not financially sustainable for anyone to live long term in a tent in this condition,” Ms Smith said.

“Our business has really been challenged quite significantly as the big top declines… it costs us money to fix it up and keep it standing, we have to cancel classes, and it becomes less appealing for people to come to.

“Why spend another $70,000 into a tent if it’s not sustainable?

“Because in 40 degree heat we can’t work in there, or it’s freezing cold, and rain pours in… the first thing we need to recognise that this is the first permanent home we’ve had since 2017.” 

Apart from organisational funding, the collaboration will be financially supported by a low-interest loan from Adrian and Michela Fini, as well as a $500,000 contribution from the state government. 

Renewed permanency will give “visibility” to circus in Fremantle, according to Ms Smith, and will shift negotiations and opinion about arts funding in WA.

“I think if Fremantle has any chance of maintaining its claim to ‘City of the Arts’, they need to not lose any more arts organisations from here… we tend to be in a situation where we think that we require state government departmental funding for everything we do, and it makes us feel like we’re always having to ask,” she said. 

“What it says to the state and local government and to other developers is that if we all get into this together, then it’s better, the arts sector is stronger.

“They’re now the architects of their own future, so this model gives ownership and decision-making back to the arts sector so we can start to break down that begging culture.”

Fremantle Press CEO Alex Allan says the move was “serendipitous” and will provide “security and continuity” for both organisations who have been struggling to remain in the Freo city centre. 

“For us to have a capital asset and a more affordable place to base our operations, because rent is really expensive in Fremantle, that will give us financial security and stability going into the future that we’ve never had before,” Ms Allan said.

“We’re very different organisations, so we’re not competing for anything in terms of space or facilities, and yet we share the same set of values where we’re really both interested in this idea of sharing stories and bringing out creativity, particularly in young people. 

“It a good news story for everyone in the arts in Fremantle, because there are plenty of under-utilised heritage buildings, and this shows how a combination of investment through a loan and philanthropic support, and creativity and ingenuity of arts organisations can actually make something really exciting happen.” 

Spacemarket director Sarah Booth says the collaboration “sets a precedent” for arts organisations to not only collaborate with each other, but to work with governments to reinvigorate sleepy spaces like Freo’s East End where the Substation is located. 

“Different organisations have the capacity to pay for different amounts of rent, but essentially, if they could get funding, they can leverage themselves into a property that they own, which is a much more sustainable position than to be at the behest of the market,” Ms Booth said. 

“It could be independent businesses, it could be nonprofits, it could be arts organisations, it could be a rent-to-buy or low interest loan situation, but I think collaboration between people who have the ability to purchase these buildings, and there’s the people who have the ability to inhabit these buildings with incredible uses to make cities vibrant.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER