History of the Vancouver Arts Centre

The Arts and Culture Team respectfully acknowledges the Menang Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the City conducts its business, and pays respect to elders past and present.

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A SHORT SUMMARY

The state heritage listed Vancouver Arts Centre occupies a complex of buildings on Vancouver Street in Albany. The complex was originally constructed as a hospital. The hospital, the first building on the site was constructed in 1887 and
designed by colonial architect George Temple Poole. This limestone construction contained a single ward. A second ward and bathroom were added in 1895. The complex was subsequently added to with orderlies’ rooms, infectious diseases ward, nurses’ quarters, a native ward, a laundry, and a morgue. After more than 70 years the site was considered too small to meet the needs of the Albany community, and eventually the hospital was relocated to a new hospital in Spencer Park, 1962. When a new hostel was built, it became vacant again in 1974. It was then occupied in 1980 by the Albany Arts Council and in 2000 management of the Centre was taken over by the City of Albany.

Image credit: Jenny Feast, 2023

ALBANY COTTAGE HOSPITAL 1829-1962

EARLY MEDICAL SERVICES & ESTABLISHMENT 1829-1888

Albany’s first hospital was established in May 1829 by Lieutenant George Sleeman within a modest four-room surgeon’s house on Parade Street. No physical evidence of this early structure exists. In 1836, construction began on a formal government complex in what is now Lawley Park, incorporating official buildings including a barracks, guardroom, commissariat store, and hospital. By the 1880s, Albany’s role as a major seaport exposed it to epidemics
such as smallpox, typhoid, and influenza. Public pressure led to the planning of a new hospital.
In 1886, a petition was presented to Governor Sir Frederick Broome for improved healthcare infrastructure. The new hospital was approved and designed by architect George Temple Poole in the emerging Domestic Revival style, which shaped many public buildings in Western Australia during that period. By August 1888, the new Albany Cottage Hospital opened, and the old Lawley Park facility was subsequently demolished.

GROWTH, MODIFICATION & WARTIME SERVICE 1895 – 1918

Due to funding restrictions, Poole’s original design was not fully realised. By 1895, further expansion was required. A female ward was added, although it was criticised for inadequate planning. In 1900, a stovepipe fire threatened the new facility, prompting the installation of water and fire protection systems by 1901.
During the Boer War in 1902, the hospital admitted injured soldiers from New South Wales and Victoria, marking its first role in supporting Australian military efforts.
By 1909, the State Government proposed transferring hospital management to the Albany Town Council, offering a subsidy. After prolonged negotiation, an increased subsidy was accepted, although the specific figure remains undocumented.
In response to the risk of infectious diseases brought by increasing sea traffic, an Infectious Diseases Ward was constructed in 1917 and opened in 1918. Built from jarrah weatherboards with asbestos-lined walls, it housed male and
female wards, nurses’ quarters, and an operating theatre, with views over the harbour.
Although exact construction dates are unrecorded, several rear outbuildings played important roles in the hospital’s operations. The Native Ward, a weatherboard structure east of the morgue, appears on historical plans but is otherwise undocumented. The morgue, a square timber building with a pyramid-shaped roof south of Mary Thomson House (formerly the nurses’ quarters), still retains its original mortuary slab. South of the driveway, 1925 additions included a laundry (now a pottery workshop) and a carpenter’s workshop.

MODERNISATION EFFORTS & CONTINUED OVERCROWDING 1936 – 1962

By the mid-1930s, surgical demand necessitated upgrades, including a Britannia boiler and new hot water system in 1936. Plans for a modern operating theatre and children’s ward followed.
In 1937, the hospital underwent substantial redevelopment, including the Dickson Wing, funded by A.H Dickson and the RSL. Previous plans were scrapped and replaced with a major eastern extension. New one- and two-bed wards
were added, along with male and private wards, a laundry extension, and expanded staff facilities. Despite these improvements, the hospital still lagged behind modern standards. Calls for further expansion, including improved outpatient facilities, persisted.
By the late 1940s, consistent public and media criticism highlighted space and staffing constraints. The Vancouver Street site was increasingly viewed as inadequate. By 1953, the State Government had agreed to construct a new
hospital in Spencer Park. In the meantime, minor upgrades continued: a children’s ward, with murals of popular characters, an outpatient block, workshop facilities, a staff dining room and a refurbished men’s ward.
On 1 March 1962, the new Albany Regional Hospital at Spencer Park was officially opened, and the Vancouver Street hospital ceased operations as a healthcare facility.

Images from Western Australia Museum & Museum of the Great Southern (n.d)

SCHOOL HOSTEL FOR BOYS 1962 – 1974

Following the hospitals closure, the State Government repurposed the Vancouver Street site as a boys’ hostel, replacing Norman House. The building was adapted to accommodate up to 75 students.

Images from the History Great Southern – Kaartdijin Biddi Albany. c.1962-1974 School Hostel For Boys

VACANT 1974 – 1980

By 1974, a purpose-built hostel opened near Albany High School, and the former hospital buildings were vacated and left in a derelict state.
In 1978, the Albany Arts Council proposed converting the neglected hospital into a community arts centre. A fire in 1979 destroyed a wing of the structure, raising fears of demolition. However, sustained community fundraising and advocacy ensured the preservation of the remaining buildings

Images from the Albany Arts Council (n.d)

ALBANY ARTS COUNCIL VANCOUVER ARTS CENTRE 1980 – 1999

The Vancouver Arts Centre (VAC) officially began operations in 1980 under modest and challenging conditions. Early events were held without electricity, including a candlelit poetry reading that has become a memorable part of the Centre’s early history.
The VAC is named after Vancouver St., which honors British naval explorer George Vancouver, who landed here in 1791.
By 1981, the Albany Arts Council (AAC) secured a 21-year lease from the State Government, enabling the legal occupation of the building. With this, the Council took on a $30,000 renovation loan, supported by fundraising and community donations, to begin much-needed upgrades to the facility.
Between 1982 and 1985, the Centre evolved into a more active community hub. Resident artists commenced work, and regular workshops were offered to the public. Major restoration work was undertaken, including the installation of 38 tonnes of she-oak shingles to restore the original roof. In 1984, the Artist in Residence program began. While most artists moved on, their contributions brought fresh ideas to the local arts scene.

Visiting artists were accommodated at Mary Thomson House (MTH), originally the Nurses’ Quarters and Matron’s Cottage, which had been renovated by the AAC one of its first major projects. MTH was named after Mary Thomson, who was a driving force behind the formation of AAC.
By 1986, the VAC had gained further momentum. With support from both State and Federal governments, paving was installed, and carpet was laid significantly improving the facility’s usability.
In 1987, the VAC Board was formally established to oversee governance and programming.
In 1988, responsibility for local arts programming was transferred from the Town of Albany to the AAC. A survey of local craftspeople conducted that year led to the formation of Viewpoint Inc., aimed at supporting and promoting regional artists.
By 1989, the internal layout of the building was improved with the installation of stairs connecting the upper and lower levels for the first time.
In 1990, the VAC was officially opened by the Hon. Yvonne Henderson, Minister for the Arts.
Between 1992 and 1995, the Centre hosted the Albany Art Prize and became home to 24 permanent tenant groups engaged in a wide range of art forms and cultural activities.
In 1996, renovations began on MTH, further expanding the Centre’s facilities.
However, between 1997 and 1999, the VAC faced increasing financial difficulties. By the end of 1999, the AAC voted to withdraw from the Centre. In response, the City of Albany stepped in to ensure its continued operation.

Images from the Albany Arts Council (n.d)

CITY OF ALBANY VANCOUVER ARTS CENTRE 2000 – PRESENT

By 2000, the City of Albany had formally assumed management of the VAC. This transition secured the Centre’s future as a vital cultural facility in the region and laid the groundwork for its continued development into the 21st century.
Between 2001 & 2005, the Centre experienced significant growth, with vibrant contributions from local artists, TAFE students, and tertiary institutions enriching a diverse calendar of exhibitions and events. Music and performance programs, notably nurtured emerging talent.

From 2005 to 2010, the VAC solidified its cultural influence through ongoing community events which became vital platforms for local engagement. The annual Noongar exhibitions gained prominence, celebrating Aboriginal artists and culture within the region. Support for artists expanded through residencies, cross-cultural collaborations, and retrospective exhibitions showcasing both emerging and established practitioners.

GROWTH & TRANSFORMATION OF THE VANCOUVER ARTS CENTRE

Between 2011 and 2013, the Centre entered a phase of artistic expansion and infrastructural improvement. The concluding years of the Curator’s Choice exhibition series featured distinguished curators and attracted national attention. In 2013, the Great Southern Art Award established a new and highly successful home at the VAC. To enhance the event, a public program featuring artist talks and children’s workshops was launched, offering added value and community engagement.

From 2014 to 2018, the VAC renewed its focus on heritage, identity, and strategic partnerships. The Vancouver Street Festival was revitalised with a stronger emphasis on cultural programming.

The VAC continued to reinforce its role in regional cultural storytelling and legacy projects, celebrating Albany’s wool heritage, Noongar songlines, and the Centenary of Armistice. As the Centre evolved, several transitions occurred, including the conclusion of the Vancouver Street Festival, completion of significant facility upgrades (heating and cooling) and the closing of the Albany Art Prize in 2018. With the Vancouver Street Festival concluding in 2018, the VAC Open Day was created to give the community a chance to see what happens at the Centre.

The year 2020 presented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a temporary closure of the Centre. Nevertheless, the VAC marked its 40th anniversary with reflection and celebration, while continuing to advance accessibility improvements. Mary Thomson House was transformed into dedicated artist studios, and the Albany History Collection returned to the Albany Public Library, signalling a broader redefinition of the roles of the Vancouver Arts Centre and Albany Town Hall within the city’s cultural landscape.

In 2021, the Centre launched several key initiatives to deepen artistic engagement and broaden opportunities for local creatives. A revised Artist in Residence model provided structured support for artistic development, complemented by a new Exhibition Callout Program designed to encourage wider community participation and highlight the outcomes of VAC’s growing creative programs.

In 2022, infrastructure enhancements included the installation of new flooring in the Large Meeting Room, improving the facility’s functionality for exhibitions and events.

In 2024, the Centre completed the installation of track lighting throughout its gallery spaces, significantly enhancing exhibition presentation and flexibility. This was also the year the Pharmacy Store was launched. Formerly the hospital pharmacy, the space was repurposed to provide local makers with an opportunity to sell their creations.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the VAC remains committed to evolving as a vital cultural institution, building on a strong foundation of community involvement, artistic innovation, and cultural connection.