Leading a people-first and place-led approach to the development of a world class arts hub in the ACT.
Communication Link has delivered engagement services since 2022 to support planning for the new Kingston Arts Precinct. The new precinct will be the main visual entry point to Kingston Foreshore, a popular dining and residential area which includes many arts institutions and some of Canberra’s oldest buildings. The site is also close to an important Ngunnawal meeting place.
This is a unique project that seeks to meet the needs of local arts organisations, local residents and the broader community while strongly respecting the area’s surroundings and cultural heritage.
Our first round of engagement focused on the existing Kingston Arts Precinct Community Panel as part of developing a Place Brief for the precinct. Over a 12-month period we facilitated conversations through Community Panel meetings, community co-create workshops, stakeholder ‘walkshops’ and a creative panel event, along with pop ups and an online survey.
Through these engagement activities a set of design principles were developed which were informed by the community and endorsed by key stakeholders and community representatives.
We continue to support the work of the Suburban Land Agency in preparing the site for development. We are working with the architects, designers and planners to ensure the community voice is reflected in the Place Brief and design principles continue to be held true within the final design. This work includes delivery of further community engagement activities including workshops, panels and pop-ups. As part of the delivery, we are working closely with First Nations engagement consultants to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard strongly within the discussion.