Inspiring new workshops announced for the Centre for Creativity

Sydney — Tuesday 24 January 2023

The Sydney Opera House today announced an inspiring new line-up of public programs, workshops and experiences for all ages in its Centre for Creativity from February to May. The engaging program of free and paid experiences includes dance theatre workshops for seniors, participatory singing with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, architecture and drawing workshops inspired by Utzon’s unparalleled design, as well as guided meditation sessions designed to unlock and explore creativity and storytelling.

“To start the year charged with creativity, we’ve curated a series of experiences for our adult audiences and lifelong learners to harness both self-care and increase connection with the creativity within us all. For the first time, we’re excited to be offering some of these workshops online as well as in person, so audiences everywhere can connect with the magic of the Opera House,” says Sydney Opera House Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning, Tamara Harrison.

“It’s so pleasing to see the Opera House’s purpose-built Centre for Creativity going from strength to strength with this exciting program featuring an array of innovative programs, workshops and experiences designed to inspire imagination, encourage creativity, and nurture lifelong learning. As a space to be enjoyed by the whole community, I am proud that everyone in NSW, from infants, to students, to lifelong learners of all ages, has the opportunity to experience this venue and the thought-provoking experiences it has to offer,” says NSW Minister for the Arts, Ben Franklin.

Architecture Club with Louise O'Brien

• Design Workshop || 11 February -  Budding designers can get creative whilst learning about the architectural history of the Sydney Opera House as founder of Apsara Collective, Louise O’Brien, leads a series of fun and playful design exercises.
• Building in the Bush - Treechange Getaway workshop || 1 April - Participants will design a passive country getaway inspired by contemporary Australian architecture with special consideration of site, sustainability, fire, water, culture and place.
• Home Renovation || 13 May - Learn how to create sustainable living through passive design principles that help your home be more functional and pleasurable.

Meditation and Creativity with Dr Nadine Cameron and SnowBorne

• Creative Exploration through Meditation || 4 February - Academic, counsellor and meditation teacher Nadine Cameron and ambient musician SnowBorne (David Rosa) lead interactive guided meditations to help participants reach a state of creative awareness.
• Exploring Art through Meditation || 11 March- Did you know that the average amount of time spent looking at an artwork is around 15 seconds? Meditation can help engage with art at a deeper and much more satisfying level. Look at the historical relationship between meditation and art, with guided meditations on projected artworks.
• Meditative Stories || 6 May - Meditative Stories takes participants on unlikely journeys drawing on the hypnotic power of language in all its facets.

Draw The House: The Sketchbook Tour and the Digital Sketchbook Tour with Todd Fuller - FREE

• Workshop || 26 March, 30 April, 28 May: See through an artist's eyes in these free monthly walking and drawing tours led by artist Todd Fuller with an expert Tour Guide Host. Uncover the influence of the visual arts on the Opera House and explore various drawing techniques and perspectives to create a range of drawings inspired by Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece. 
• Digital || 26 March, 30 April, 28 May: The workshops will also be offered as a free livestream, so audiences can login and draw from anywhere in the world, with some follow-up modules available to watch on-demand.

Spring for Seniors - Dance Theatre Class and Digital Dance Theatre Class with Diane Busuttil. A popular regular dance theatre session for the ageless, welcoming anyone aged 55+ for an inspiring and social creative workshop.

• Workshop || 3 March & 5 May: A gentle dance class explores creative expression and storytelling connected with a physical exploration of theatre, memories and the imagination. The movement class is followed by a conversation, over coffee, about dance theatre's great moments with dance artist and educator Diane Busuttil. The class is designed for those new to dance and movement, wanting to explore creative expression, build strength and mobility, improve balance, and increase short-term memory and musicality, as well as meet new friends in the beautiful surroundings of Sydney Opera House.
• Digital || 3 March & 5 May: The workshops will also be offered as livestreamed online experiences, so participants can connect from home – either solo or with a group of friends to fulfil their creative potential!

Big Heart Sing - with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs – FREE

3 April & 8 May: Free drop-in singing sessions led by Opera House resident company Sydney Philharmonia Choirs where like-minded music lovers can experience the joyous power of communal song, with a different repertoire each month - from the Beatles to Beethoven and ABBA to Opera