In true outback spirit, an iconic Alice Springs arts hub has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a huge jump in visitor numbers and an impressive calendar of events.
Visitors and locals alike are now flocking back to the Araluen Arts Centre after two years of enforced restrictions and disruptions.
From March to May 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 response, 1180 people visited Araluen Arts Precinct.
This year, that number has rebounded to almost 5000 visitors across the corresponding three months.
There is an exciting line up of shows, exhibits, festivals and cultural displays booked for the second half of 2022 and now is the perfect time for people to reacquaint themselves with the arts centre which is set in the Araluen Cultural Precinct.
Highlights for the rest of the year include the Beanie Festival; comedians Ross Noble and Bill Bailey; Bangarra Dance Theatre; as well as concerts by Goanna, Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daly, and Ash Grunwald.
Desert Mob is also returning this year, to showcase contemporary Aboriginal art from across the desert regions of Central Australia, South Australia and Western Australia. Events will be held throughout the first two weeks of September.
The boost comes after a disruptive two years when capacity at the theatre was slashed from almost 500 to 150 and booked performances were regularly postponed due to COVID restrictions.
The Araluen Arts Centre was opened in 1984 as the central hub for artistic expression in the Alice Springs community. It includes art galleries, a theatre, café and Arrernte sacred sites.
