Spaces to create
Cairns has a wealth of spaces to develop or present cultural and artistic works. Council owns and manages a number of affordable and accessible creative spaces that can be used by community and cultural groups for production, meetings, events and rehearsals.
We also manage a multi-arts residency program through Cultural Services venues and the Botanic Gardens, which is open to local and visiting artists.
Spaces for hire include halls, meeting rooms, a theatre and galleries. Grants are also available from Council to help cover hire costs and resources for eligible people and groups.
Artist residency program
Our multi-arts residency programs is open to visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, multi-media artists and community cultural developers. Applications are welcomed for long and short-term stays and projects. Accommodation and workspaces for the residency programs are in and around the Cairns Botanic Gardens and Cultural Services venues.
Arts and Cultural Assistance for venue hire
Individuals and community groups can apply for support to cover hire fees in Council venues. The Arts and Community assistance grants (covers hire only, not a cash grant) are offered to develop local community arts and cultural programs and foster opportunities for local arts and cultural activities that make a positive creative contribution to the region.
- Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre: Includes a 120sqm multi-purpose room with capacity of 100 cocktail, 70 theatre and 36 classroom styles, and a 100sqm amphitheatre with capacity of 100 theatre style.
- Cominos House - Rose Blank Gallery: Reduced hire fees for arts and environment groups. The space is 65m2 (9m x 7m approx) with an additional 12m2 of kitchen and preparation space. Air-conditioning, 65 chairs, tables and a large screen with a cable to connect to laptop.
- Cairns Junior Choral Society - Main Hall: An airconditioned, open space with piano and ceiling fans, best suited to band rehearsals, dance lessons or rehearsals, art or craft groups and meetings.
- Cairns Performing Arts Centre - Studio Theatre: The CPAC Studio can seat up to 372 people and can be reconfigured by the automated flooring system to create racked seating, standing room or a level floor for tables, enabling a range of events from cabaret, contemporary or classical music, theatre-in-the-round, comedy, films and children’s shows.
- Tanks Arts Centre - Tank 3, Tank 4, Tank 5: The Tank 4 gallery can accommodate events up to 150 people with a backdrop of beautiful artwork. The open space of Tank 3 is perfect for gala dinners, corporate events and workshops for up to 500 people. Tank 5 has a large performance space for up to 600 people with world-class sound system, stage, green room and bar.
- Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre: Includes a 120sqm multi-purpose room with capacity of 100 cocktail, 70 theatre and 36 classroom styles, and a 100sqm amphitheatre with capacity of 100 theatre style..
Last Updated: 7 December 2021
Latest News > All News
Wave hello, the Cairns Lagoon is now open!
After a scheduled, biennial 5-week closure, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon has reopened for everyone to enjoy....
18 August 2026
What's happening in your suburb?
From recreation hubs to coastal protection, projects are underway across the Cairns region....
17 August 2026
AFCM takes the stage in Cairns
Taking the stage in Cairns-Gimuy for the very first time, the renowned Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) has certainly...
13 August 2026