The arts centre is owned and staffed by The City of Onkaparinga. It is a multi purpose centre that caters for the arts and cultural needs of residents throughout the City of Onkaparinga and beyond.

The arts centre is also part of the out of the square entertainment circuit providing entertainment to audiences in the suburbs.

It boasts two visual arts galleries, a large Performance Space, and Rehearsal and Visual Arts Spaces. The Centre is also a venue for conferences, concerts, business functions and weddings, with a well appointed kitchen enabling hirers to cater for 150 guests.

Host to a number of arts and craft groups, The centre is also home to two theatrical groups. The Southern Youth Theatre Ensemble, is a high profile professional group that works with young people aged 5-26. The Noarlunga Theatre Company is a successful local amateur theatre company, whose productions attract audiences come from all over the metropolitan area.

The arts centre staff assist with the bookings, planning, and organisational aspects of private and corporate functions. They work with community members to present a number of special events that occur throughout the year. These events demonstrate the myriad range of arts activities occurring throughout the City of Onkaparinga. - Paper purchase A Blooming Extravaganza, Fabrication and an annual Surf Art exhibition.

Volunteers are welcome and play a vital role in formulating our artistic program, the successful staging of events and in the general role and function of the arts centre.

If you wish to book a function, volunteer at the Centre or need further information please contact us.

THE INSTITUTE BUILDING

Due to its popularity as a beach resort, the 1920's and 1930's were a time of prosperity for Port Noarlunga, and it was during this time (1924) that the Port Noarlunga Institute was built. In 1929, a Library was constructed adjacent to the building and remained in use until 1985.

As was intended, The Institute soon became the venue for local social events. Apart from concerts, dances and balls, the Institute was also used as a cinema, beginning with silent movies in the 1930s, it maintained its popularity into the 70s. For some time afterwards it was home to local theatrical companies.

During the 1960s the Noarlunga District Council had taken over the liabilities of the Institute and by the 1980s decided that it should be saved from further deterioration and put to better use. Community consultation resulted in the redevelopment of the Institute as a multi-purpose Arts Centre. It opened in 1993 as The Noarlunga Community Arts Centre. By 1998 the Council had amalgamated with Willunga and Happy Valley, and changed its name to the City of Onkaparinga - For this reason and the shortening of the title by popular usage, the Noarlunga Community Arts Centre, has now become The Arts Centre.