The Mill, Adelaide

Last updated

The Mill is an multidisciplinary arts organisation and venue in Adelaide, South Australia, focused on independent artists. Founded in 2013 by Amber Cronin and Erin Fowler, The Mill provides studio space and a small theatre, and runs a range of programs to support creative artists.

Contents

History

The Mill was founded in 2013 by visual artist Amber Cronin and performance artist Erin Fowler. [1] Cronin became artistic director of The Mill. [2] [3]

In 2016, The Mill expanded, partnering with international organisations, including Sweden's ilDance; Rumah Sanur in Indonesia; and German cross-platform label Average Negative. [4]

In 2018 the co-founders handed The Mill over to a new leadership team, led by performer and choreographer Katrina Lazaroff as director, [4] with Tim Watts as general manager. [1] [5] In 2020 the director role evolved into CEO and artistic director. [4]

Under Lazaroff, the focus started expanding from an emerging artists to a more general and holistic aim to support the careers of artists in Adelaide and South Australia, including those in mid-career. [6]

The centre grew from 39 to 57 studios in 2022–2023. In 2023, after St Paul's Creative Centre closed, The Mill acquired some of their furnishings. [5] In 2023 The Mill extended the lease on its Angas Street premises for a further three years, but were hoping to find another CBD venue capable of housing a larger theatre, rehearsal space, studios, a tools workshop, and an expanded gallery. [5] On 16 June 2023 it celebrated its 10th anniversary with an event held at the premises. [6]

In 2025, The Mill was able to expand into an empty warehouse loft behind its Angas Street home, adding 15 new workspaces (a total of 70 studios) and becoming the largest creative studio precinct in South Australia. [7]

Description

The Mill is a multidisciplinary arts centre and organisation located at 154 Angas Street in Adelaide city centre. [2] [8] [9] As of September 2025 it is headed by CEO Katrina Lazaroff, with Tim Watts as general manager. [3] [7] It is governed by a board, headed by chair Ana Koch. [3]

Its mission statement is to be "the sum of all arts". [5] The Mill supports many types of local artists and creatives, firstly by providing studios to work in, and secondly by offering a range of programs to support artists and creators, such as masterclasses and workshops that assist with exploration of their practice as well as developing relationships in their industries. [5]

As of 2023 the venue has a 50-seat theatre, which size suits the independent sector. It is used by the Adelaide Fringe for live performance, among other uses. [5]

The Mill has forged connections with interstate organisations, including (as of 2023 Dancehouse in Melbourne and Brand X in Sydney, [a] and co-runs an emerging producer program in conjunction with Metro Arts in Brisbane. [5]

The Mill is funded by the Government of South Australia via CreateSA; the City of Adelaide; the Australian Government via Creative Australia; and the Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund, along with a number of corporate and private sponsors. [11] In 2025, CreateSA is supporting a First-Nations-led dance program. [12]

Recognition

In 2023, The Mill won the Ruby Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation or Group. [13]

Exhibitors and performers

Artists who have had residencies, performed, worked, or exhibited at The Mill include:

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Brand X is a similar organisation in Sydney. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 Marsh, Walter (8 March 2019). "The Mill co-founder Erin Fowler on gender, burnout and being a boss". The Adelaide Review . Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 Marsh, Walter (11 December 2018). "The Mill co-founder joins Australia Council Future Leaders program – The Adelaide Review". The Adelaide Review. Archived from the original on 13 August 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "About". The Mill. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Foster, Farrin (29 June 2016). "The Mill goes global". CityMag . Archived from the original on 31 March 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Buxton-Collins, Alexis (20 September 2023). "The Mill Celebrates Ten Years of Fuelling Adelaide's Creative Scene". Broadsheet . Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Von Einem, Johnny (15 June 2023). "Adelaide needs another 10 years of The Mill". CityMag . Archived from the original on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  7. 1 2 McGreevy, Bella (15 August 2025). "The Mill expands into a warehouse loft, becoming SA's largest creative studio precinct". Glam Adelaide. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 Deller, Marina (18 March 2025). "Bri Hammond is re-meeting Adelaide". InDaily . Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Under 30's eat free". Meer. 20 June 2025. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Brand X: Transforming Spaces into Creative Places for Sydney Artists". Brand X. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Supporters". The Mill. 8 April 2025. Archived from the original on 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "Aboriginal Arts and Culture". CreateSA. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "2023 Ruby Awards". Department of the Premier and Cabinet (South Australia) . 21 June 2024. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.