A TAP away from home

BY ROJE ADAIMY

For almost 19 years, TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst has played host to the work of hundreds of local emerging artists, actors, playwrights, and directors.
But as the building faces redevelopment, the gallery is now struggling to find a new home because of the lack of affordable art space in the inner-city.
Artist Lesley Dimmick has managed TAP on a voluntarily basis since it opened its doors on Palmer Street in 1993. While she has spent the last 18 months searching for a suitable premises to relocate the gallery, Ms Dimmick said she is appalled at the high cost of rent in the city.
“We’re a non-profit community organisation, so we can’t afford even the cheapest $7500-a-week rent for an old factory in Surry Hills,” she said. “We’ve already spent over half-a-million dollars on rent since we’ve been at this current premises.”
The gallery applied for support under City of Sydney’s Accommodation Grants Program in 2005 ‘ through which the City leases community facilities to non-profit community-based organisations and groups at no charge or at reduced rates. However, the gallery has since been told there are no vacant properties available.
Ms Dimmick said that she has spoken to some Councillors who have told her there is, in fact, vacant property, but cannot be leased out because they’ve been identified as investments.
In the meantime, the gallery will continue to operate as normal until a new affordable space can be found.
“We’re booked up with artists and theatre for the rest of the year – so we want to make sure people know we’re not closing, just looking for a new home,” Ms Dimmick said.
“TAP Gallery provides an incredible community service – from drawing classes to film nights. It’s important that we find a new space very soon so we can continue this important service for artists and locals alike.”
The gallery will celebrate its 19th birthday at the end of July with a “big art party” and wild performances. More information will soon be available on the gallery’s website at www.tapgallery.org.au