History Bundaberg School of Arts

bundaberg school of arts, circa 1894

the former school of arts substantial masonry building in classical revival style , constructed in 1888-1889 third school of arts building on site.

the burnett area, in bundaberg lies, first settled europeans in 1840s , 1850s series of pastoral runs. in late 1860s, agricultural land around maryborough began scarce, agriculturalists , timbergetters became interested in land on navigable burnett river north. foundation settlers of bundaberg selected land in 1867-68 under sugar , coffee regulations stemming crown lands alienation act of 1860s aimed promote agriculture , closer settlement. site of bundaberg officially surveyed in 1869. coastal traffic grew, , copper first mined @ mount perry in 1871, enabled bundaberg develop port , supply centre, in spite of competition maryborough trade. although higher southern bank of river officially surveyed town site, both sides developed wharves , buildings , linked ferry, bridges in 1870s. sugar plantations established in surrounding area , become basis city s wealth industry boomed 1880s 1920s.

in 1871, 3 allotments in section 20 @ corner of bourbong , barolin streets reserved school of arts. @ time population of bundaberg 100. shortly afterwards, institution opened in simple weatherboard structure little pretension style, had reading room , library composed largely of fiction books. used venue meetings , church services.

the first mechanics institutes or schools of arts established in britain in 1800s , intended assist self-improvement , promote moral, social , intellectual growth, providing lectures, discussions , lending libraries rising middle class. @ time there no free public libraries , books expensive, access books borrowing subscribers provided important service. first school of arts committee in queensland established in brisbane in 1849 aim of advancement of community in literary, philosophic , scientific subjects . towns , districts became established, local committees formed set schools of arts, became 1 of principal sources of adult education. government recognised making land available, subsidising books , assisting building costs.

a new timber school of arts building in bundaberg constructed on same site in 1880. library received considerable boost donation of 3 cases of english classics, ordered london @ cost of £100, thomas mcilwraith, later become premier of queensland , life member of school of arts. book committee purchased further 1400 volumes new building, foundation of library of notable quality.

although building larger first, decade when modest timber buildings of settlement being replaced handsome masonry structures reflecting bundaberg s prosperity. larger , more prestigious building needed school of arts. fortunately, reserve had become valuable real estate, being located @ corner of intersection held reserves post office, municipal chambers , bank. larger required , in 1887 committee petitioned queensland legislative assembly permit them divide land , sell part of finance building in keeping town s current position , future needs. enabling act passed allow , surplus land sold £3400.

the new building designed anton hettrich, local architect born , trained in germany. in 1884 commenced practice in bundaberg , won competition design of bundaberg town hall. after winning competition design of school of arts in 1888 went briefly partnership william champ, builder, in order carry out , several other large commissions. hettrich became long-standing member of school of arts committee , taught drawing , german there. practice successful , pupil, frederic herbert faircloth, gained similar dominance in local architectural work. 1897 hettrich had designed more 300 buildings in area. moved away bundaberg in 1900 supervise work on gympie court house department of works , later moved brisbane. successful tenderer work mr calvert , work commenced on 2 june 1888 old building being moved rear of site allow continuation of services. trustees took possession of completed building on 16 april 1889 cost of £3300. had library , rooms available rental on ground floor, committee room rear. on upper level large reading room opening out on verandah, natural history museum , chess rooms. g.h. bennett, president of school of arts committee, expressed satisfaction in elegant , substantial edifice, suitable in every way purpose designed .

from 1889 school of arts offered technical classes in variety of practical subjects including drawing, shorthand, bookkeeping, typing, dressmaking, millinery, chemistry, dairy work, manual training , carpentry. these successful in 1898 timber hall designed frederick faircloth built behind school of arts accommodate them. had stage , piano , hired out when not in use, expanding activities of institution, , enlarged after built. however, in 1908 technical education act shifted responsibility provision of such classes government, factor in demise of schools of arts generally.

membership of school of arts subscription , membership numbers never large. running institute largely voluntary affair , involved in work included many prominent local people, number of whom mayors. gallery added library in 1900s, although membership dropped competition other activities. however, membership rose again in 1920s necessitating extension of library , may have been why western verandah enclosed @ time. during depression when cessation of government subsidies schools of arts spelt end many, bundaberg institution continued well.

in 1928 construction of amp building next door blocked light rooms on side , eastern verandah removed, on west being removed few years later. alternatives education , leisure activities , libraries act of 1943, provided free lending libraries, contributed gradual closure of schools of arts around state. bundaberg s museum collection broken after world war ii, earnings rentals , excellent library helped school of arts survive. in 1969, bundaberg , district museum formed , moved hall following year.

the school of arts library remained lending library in bundaberg until 1970s, when city council conducted feasibility study view establishing free public library. future of building uncertain @ time , members of bundaberg historical society led public support retention of building. in 1976 repair work carried out city of bundaberg aid of national estate grant. hall demolished , museum moved school of arts building. land, building , assets transferred trustees of school of arts bundaberg city council on 1 january 1979. library transferred former customs house , commonwealth bank in quay street in 1981. bundaberg art society used library room , other rooms in school of arts art gallery , offices. in 1988 museum moved new building , in late 1990s art gallery moved out. building continues serve people of bundaberg being available hire cultural , community purposes.