Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts
Museum and Theatre, Tenterfield
History Lives Here. Stories Come Alive. The Community Celebrates.
What's On
Spike the Echidna
Spike the Echidna touring with Arts North West Saturday 8th August, 10:30am See Event
The Rusty Pickups
The Rusty Pickups touring with Arts North West, Thursday 3rd September, 6pm. See Event
Tenterfield Eisteddfod 2026
Tenterfield Eisteddfod, 15th to the 18th of September 2026 – check their website for entries and program. See Event
History Is More Than Human: Writing an Animal History of Australia with Historian, Nancy Cushing
Historian in residence, Nancy Cushing. Wednesday 29th July, 5pm, School of Arts Banquet Hall. See Event
Star Avenue Dance Centre 10 Year Celebration Concert
Saturday 1st August, 2:30pm and 5pm See Event
The heart of Tenterfield
At the heart of Tenterfield stands one of Australia’s most significant cultural landmarks. The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is a place where heritage, creativity and community meet – celebrating our past while providing a vibrant stage for contemporary culture.
Opened in 1876, the beautifully preserved historic building originally housed the Tenterfield School of Arts. Schools of Arts were public educational establishments which aimed to provide adult education, including access to books, to working people who would otherwise not have had access to education and training.
In 1889, Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier of the Colony of NSW, delivered what has become known as the Tenterfield Oration in the Banquet Room. This speech is regarded as the beginning of the campaign to form a federation of the colonies, leading to the creation of the nation we call Australia.
The building has been central to Tenterfield’s civic, cultural and social life for well over a century. Today, it continues that proud tradition as both a museum preserving local and national history, and a theatre and cinema showcasing live performance, film and community events. The building also holds the Tenterfield Information Centre as well as the Courtyard Café.
Join the School of Arts $100 Club
Help celebrate 150 years of the Tenterfield School of Arts while supporting the future of its Museum, Theatre and cultural programs
Join the $100 Club today and help us reach 150 members and raise $15,000.
This website was made possible by a grant through the Australian Government's Stronger Communities Programme Round 9, 2025
Tenterfield Shire Council proudly supports the School of Arts Tenterfield Inc. (SOATI).
SOATI is supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
