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The Lock-Up
4.6
144 reviewsAbout
The Lock-Up is a place of vital encounter between the arts and audiences of today, housed within Muloobinba/Newcastle's original 1861 lock-up on Awabakal and Worimi Country. They support the production, commission, research, residencies and presentation of contemporary multiform art. They are a space to investigate the social issues of today and the cultural forms of tomorrow through critical, artist-led, multidisciplinary and experimental practice. The Lock-Up firmly believes in artists taking risks.
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 the former exercise yard, and an on-site apartment for multidisciplinary residencies.
Hours
Closed now
Today: 10:00–16:00
Facilities and visitor features
11 featuresCaters for people who use a wheelchair.
Nearby places
Reviews & Ratings
Miss Tofu
Google review
Housed in a former police station, the gallery already has this slightly eerie, industrial atmosphere before you even look at the art. The old building bones exposed beams, concrete floors, harsh grid walls and institutional layout actually work perfectly with the exhibition style. Some of the pieces, especially the strange little platypus forms, felt even more surreal knowing they were displayed inside a repurposed police building. It’s one of those spaces where the venue itself becomes part of the experience rather than just a blank white gallery. The whole place has a raw, independent Newcastle arts scene energy that feels authentic instead of overly commercial.
Zoe Goldstein
Google review
An outstanding exhibit of 'found-object' art by Karla Dickens. I really enjoyed seeing her works and reading her powerful environmental statements so well displayed in such a unique setting.
Michelle Currey
Google review
This is a great venue to view some amazing exhibitions by very talented artists. Love how they put the exhibits throughout the old jail itself. Throughout, what would have been a very distressing and bleak interior, were pops of colour, abstracts and exquisite artwork although the solemnise was evident as well.
Zeeshan Shafqat
Google review
Recently visited this place. The prison itself is not big. The art pieces are usually displayed in prison cells. The particular exhibition on display wasn't that great tbh but nevertheless it's fine to visit here if your in Newcastle.
Min
Google review
✨ We visited to see the Argo Pacifico, the current installation & it was amazing! Every room of the Lock-up has been transformed into a room of a cruise ship for your to enjoy, right here in Newy! And it's free!
Get in touch
Where you'll be
90 Hunter Street
Newcastle NSW 2300