Located in one of Newcastle’s most significant heritage buildings, The Lock-Up is an award winning independent multidisciplinary contemporary arts space and inner city creative hub. Listed in the NSW Heritage Register, The Lock-Up was the Newcastle Police Station and lock up from 1861 until its closure in 1982.

The building includes a purpose built gallery space, rare heritage listed cells, an event and installation space in what was the former exercise yard, and an onsite apartment for multi-disciplinary residencies.

Through curated artistic and public programming, The Lock-Up aims to stimulate and challenge audiences and to promote current, cross platform, experimental and diverse practice from local, national and international artists. The program includes contemporary art exhibitions, events, site-specific installation and performances, residencies, creative talks, workshops and a variety of activities designed to engage the arts community and the public and to encourage the sharing of ideas and creative vision. The Lock-Up’s nationally renowned Artist in Residence (AIR) Program provides onsite accommodation, a work environment and community engagement opportunities for contemporary artists working across a broad range of disciplines.