The School of Arts Movement
The School of Arts is a movement that began from The Enlightenment and was at its height in the liberalism of the 19th and early 20th century. This force driven by community leaders maintained that everybody should have access to the literary arts, books and learning, live performance and music. All these treasures were to be housed in a convivial, distinctive, welcoming social environment. These institutes provided all people with lectures, libraries, and recreational activities and a place to socialise and celebrate.
A Spirit of Independence
The Newtown School of Arts was founded by Newtown resident Thomas Holt in 1858 with the vision that NSoA “would bring the rich man’s greatest luxuries within the reach of the poorest.” With Holt, Newtown’s local business and community leaders pooled together, creating an independently run space built by the community for the community. The use of this building at 5 Eliza has evolved over decades to serve its community - it has been used for wartime homecomings, a pop-up hospital in the 1918 Spanish flu Pandemic, theatre parties, dances, and other public events.
An enduring legacy
For over 100 years, NSoA at 5 Eliza has remained under Trust management for its original purpose as a hub for recreational, educational and artistic pursuits and activities for the community. Our current vision is to create and foster a building alive with performing and visual arts practitioners that, in contemporary terms, revitalises and furthers the founding ideas and principles of the School of Arts movement.
Home to visual artists studios and more to come, 5 Eliza is buzzing with artistic enterprise morning to night.
Download our History Book
For a comprehensive look into the history of the Newtown School of Arts, download our A History of The Newtown School of Arts: A Local Mosaic from 19th Century to 21st Century written by contemporary historian Chrys Meader.
A copy of this history book is also available to purchase. Please contact admin@5eliza.com.au to find out more.
Make a donation.
If you would like to donate to our project or learn more about how we use our donations, please contact admin@5eliza.com.au
