Maryborough School of Arts building

Maryborough School of Arts building
General information
Status	Opened
Address	427 Kent Street
Town or city	Maryborough
Country	Australia
Coordinates	25°32′15″S 152°42′08″E / 25.5374°S 152.7022°E / -25.5374; 152.7022Coordinates: 25°32′15″S 152°42′08″E / 25.5374°S 152.7022°E / -25.5374; 152.7022
Groundbreaking	3 June 1887
Opening	21 May 1888
Cost	£3,500
Owner	Fraser Coast Regional Council
Technical details
Structural system	Rendered brick
Floor count	2
Design and construction
Architect	John Harry Grainger
Main contractor	Jacob and John Rooney

Located prominently on Kent St in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, the Maryborough School of Arts building is a two storeyed masonry building opposite the City Hall. It was constructed in 1887-8 to the design of Melbourne and Adelaide architect, John Harry Grainger. It replaced the first Maryborough School of Arts which was a small brick building constructed in 1861 soon after the establishment of a local School of Arts committee in 1860.^[1]

Design

It is a smooth rendered brick building with a hipped roof. The principal, south western façade of the School of Arts, which addresses Kent Street, is symmetrically arranged and employs classical proportion and detailing.

The keystone of the moulding surrounding the central archway has a plaster moulded bust of Minerva, goddess of the city and protector of civilised life.

Internally the building is arranged around a large central hall, accessed from the principal entrance off Kent Street. Rooms are found off either side of the hall on the ground floor and the hall is terminated in the eastern corner of the building with the stair hall. The entrance is through an elaborate double timber door opening from the recessed porch.

History

Competitive designs were invited from architects for a substantial School of Arts in Maryborough and with a £50 prize being offered. Thirty one entries were received and, at a meeting on 10 November 1886, that of John Harry Grainger was awarded the first prize and the contract for the project.

John Grainger was an architect of Adelaide and Melbourne who had opened an office in Brisbane after his partnership, Grainger and D'Ebro, won a design competition for the Brisbane Public Offices, later known as the Treasury Building.

The contract for the construction of the School of Arts was let on 1 March 1887 to local contractors, Jacob and John Rooney (J&J Rooney) and the final construction cost was £3,500. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 3 June 1887 in an elaborate ceremony. The building was opened in a more discreet ceremony on 21 May 1888.^[1]

References