Cultural centre fundraiser reaches half way

The Fun Haus Factory has hit the halfway mark in is month-long fundraising campaign for its new Arts Centre in the Centre of Gosford.

Creative director and co-founder Glitta Supernova said the dream of a vibrant, community-led arts hub in the Gosford CBD was almost a reality.

Fun Haus Factory is transforming a long-vacant building into the Gosford Arts Centre: a permanent home for independent theatre, music, cabaret, visual arts, education, and community connection.

In just two weeks since launching a 30-day fundraising campaign to raise $75,000, more than $25,000 has been received through personal contributions ranging from $10 to $2,000.

Now, with just two weeks to go and $50,000 left to raise, the Fun Haus is calling on local businesses and corporate supporters to help get the build across the line.

“This is people power in action,” Supernova said.

“We’ve had artists, volunteers, and everyday community members rolling up their sleeves — scraping walls, cleaning dust, and splashing colour into every corner.”

Among the many volunteers are acclaimed Australian painter Wendy Sharpe, who donated two full days to create a whimsical and quirky mural across the social enterprise kitchen and bar wall, and celebrated local artist Russell Austin, who has been transforming the centre’s exterior frontage  into a colourful selfie-magnet.

Youth collective CRuD also painted a mural during the school holidays with the Fun Haus creative youth group YASS!.

“These artists and supporters are giving their time, talent, and energy not for accolades, but for love,” Supernova said.

“Love of the arts, love for Gosford, and belief in a future where creativity and community go hand in hand.

“From teens picking up paintbrushes for the first time to seasoned professionals donating weeks of labour, this is a truly cross-generational effort.

“With no government funding, the team is self-funding everything, from electrical fit-outs and accessible flooring to fire safety upgrades needed for occupancy certification.

“Every contribution is tax-deductible and writes a new chapter in Gosford’s future.

“As cranes fill the Gosford skyline with residential and commercial developments, Fun Haus Factory is building the cultural scaffolding; a space for connection, celebration, and creative expression that will serve locals and draw artists and visitors from across the state.

Sharpe said this is the social heart Gosford has been waiting for.

“Every thriving city needs a theatre,” she said.

“A community needs the arts.”

Fun Haus Factory has been activating Gosford since 2019 with festivals, cabarets, live music and community events.

To donate go to funhausfactory.org.au/gosford/

To volunteer go to wkf.ms/4kXg3wa