Lighthouse Arts is an initiative of Hunter Writers’ Centre, a nonprofit supporting stories and storytellers in the Hunter region since 1998.
Lighthouse Arts began in 2020, when Hunter Writers’ Centre was awarded seed funding through the City of Newcastle’ Industry Response grants to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the arts and creative industries. With the support of Port Authority of NSW, Lighthouse Arts has since activated the Whibayganba-Nobbys headland cottages as a multi-arts site. Five years later, Lighthouse Arts has welcomed over X
The initiative supports writers, artists and the region’s diverse creative communities through residencies, exhibitions, and cultural programs that celebrate local arts, culture and tourism.
During the week the Lighthouse Arts Residencies offer writers and artists an inspiring space to focus, create and develop their work.
On weekends, the Whibayganba-Nobbys Headland opens to the public, offering a panoramic view of Newcastle city; set between the industrious, humming harbour and the everchanging roll of the ocean. Lighthouse Arts Exhibition and Store present dynamic works by local artists and past residents, along with Hunter Writers’ Centre publications and other creative projects.
We listen and learn about Awabakal history and living culture, promote the site’s historic and maritime heritage, and provide a collaborative, inspiring space for local artists, celebrating this iconic landmark while supporting local tourism and cultural enterprise.
Hunter Writers’ Centre is a not-for-profit incorporated association serving the stories, writers, and storytellers of the Hunter region. With a core focus on writing and storytelling, our programs include writer and artist residencies, exhibitions, and an arts store at the Lighthouse Arts precinct on Nobbys-Whibayganba headland.
We offer workshops, residencies, fellowships, events, community projects, and nationally significant literary competitions such as the Newcastle Poetry Prize, Newcastle Short Story Award and The Grieve Project.
Katherine has over 20 years’ experience working in arts and non-profit organisations, working across artistic disciplines such as theatre, puppetry, community cultural development, and digital storytelling.
She was CEO of CuriousWorks (NSW) and Barking Gecko Theatre (WA) and was the Assistant Manager of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation, working as part of the small team that established the arts, culture and education precinct.
She has served as a member of the City of Melbourne’s Community Cultural Development Arts Advisory Panel and held Board positions at Country Arts WA, Performing Arts Touring Alliance, Australian Performing Arts Centre Association, Surfrider Foundation Australia and Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub.
Personal highlights of her career include seeding Sensorium–Australia’s only theatre company making interactive sensory theatre designed for young audiences with disability.
To the Hunter Writer Centre, she brings working knowledge of the arts industry, coupled with project management and strategic development skills, and a deep love and respect for story. She is a skilled communicator and facilitator and loves to work with passionate people towards a common goal. She thrives on supporting artists, developing opportunities to assist big, beautiful ideas to manifest in the world.
Keighley coordinates and prepares our anthologies and publications. She has a Masters in Creative Industries from the University of Newcastle specialising in Writing, Publishing, and Marketing
Alyshia coordinates the Arts Store and Residency applications at Lighthouse Arts. They have an Honours degree in Writing and Literature as well as TAFE qualifications in Sound Production. They also has a background in writing fiction and articles, with an interest in multidisciplinary arts and active hobbies in drawing, sound design, and a range of crafts.
Jacqueline is our Bookkeeper. She has 30+ years experience working with Not-for-Profit organisations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business Administration.
