News

Construction on The Joinery begins

28 Aug 2025

We’re excited to welcome Blaze Projects as our construction partner for Stage Zero of The Joinery — NORPA’s new home in the heart of Lismore.

Blaze is a locally owned building company with deep roots in the Northern Rivers. With decades of experience and a passion for creating spaces that uplift communities, they’re the perfect team to help us begin this next chapter.

Stage Zero is all about getting us on site — safely and sustainably. Blaze Projects will repair and adapt the historic Hampton & Larsson joinery building to create temporary offices and theatre-making spaces. This important first step allows us to occupy the site while we plan for the full transformation ahead.

It’s a big step forward, and we’re proud to be doing it with a team that shares our commitment to creativity, care, and community.

The Joinery project is inspiring community

11 June 2025

Another big step towards our shared creative future! The Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) has joined State Government and our community supporters to help secure a permanent home for NORPA at The Joinery. It’s a true feel-good milestone for us all.

“At NRCF, we’ve seen how powerful community-led projects can be. The arts connect us — they express who we are and help shape our regional identity. Supporting the Joinery is an investment in the creative future of the Northern Rivers.” Sam Henderson, NRCF CEO.

In the wake of the 2022 floods, NRCF recognises creativity as a powerful force for healing, resilience, and reconnection. With the support of forward-thinking partners, The Joinery will help preserve and grow the unique spirit of our region for generations.

“This kind of impact investment is about aligning values with meaningful community outcomes,” Sam adds. “It’s part of building a stronger, more connected future—together.”

A heartfelt thank you to Sam and the NRCF team. This partnership makes The Joinery an integral part of our region’s generous giving cycle — and that feels good! And thank you to everyone who has helped bring this home. We are almost there.


Video by Dom Sullivan

Game-changer investment secured for our new home

9 May 2025

We’re one step closer to realising A New Home for NORPA. With major funding support from the NSW Government and philanthropic partners, we are now within reach of purchasing the historic Hampton and Larsson joinery in central Lismore.

Repair and restore funding announced

Thanks to the Northern Rivers Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program, we’ve secured funding to begin the first stage of development at the site. This includes restoring parts of the building for immediate use — refurbished offices, temporary rehearsal spaces, and essential repairs like roof works, cleaning, and service reconnections.

This will allow NORPA to start utilising parts of the facility immediately, while we plan for the full transformation of The Joinery into a flood-resilient arts hub.

We have attracted this support because our vision for The Joinery contributes directly to Lismore’s CBD vibrancy, benefiting the local economy, our support for our artists and our community’s recovery.

Inside Our Vision

12 Feb 2025

Imagine a space where creativity thrives, stories are born, and resilience is woven into every detail. That’s the future NORPA envisions with The Joinery — transforming a historic timber factory into a flood-resilient, world-class arts incubator.

In collaboration with award-winning architects CHROFI, The Joinery sets a bold precedent for how the arts can drive community renewal in the face of climate challenges. Its design embraces the environment rather than resisting it, with robust materials, adaptive spaces, and features that support flood resilience and rapid recovery.

“The Joinery project is an opportunity to embrace creativity and innovation in flood resilience. Rather than resisting the elements, we see this as a chance to work with them – designing spaces that not only provide shelter during flood events but also invite and engage the Lismore arts community.”
John Choi, Director, CHROFI.

Step inside the dream with our latest video, revealing how this old factory can become a vibrant hub for artists.

Video by Dom Sullivan

Unveiling Our Vision

24 Jan 2025

The Joinery is set to become a story of transformation, creativity and connection, but until we purchase the building this is just a dream. We need your help to bring this vision to life.

In the meantime, let’s dream together. Here is a reveal of the old factory that has truly inspired our vision for artists, stories and connection in the Northern Rivers. NORPA is a big part of Lismore’s past and we want to be part of its future.

Video by Dom Sullivan

Sharing NORPA’s Vision For A New Home

12 Dec 2024

Have you heard about our most ambitious project yet? It’s time to share the big picture with you.

The Joinery, A New Home for NORPA in the heart of Lismore, will support our innovative theatre-making and provide a vibrant, contemporary space for the community to connect with story and performance.

Our bold vision is to transform the historic Hampton & Larsson factory in Lismore’s CBD into a creative beacon for the Northern Rivers — a place that nurtures artistic talent, celebrates our region’s unique stories and drives community renewal.

To realise our dream, over the next three years, NORPA will continue its mission to secure investment through government and other grants, philanthropic gifts, donations and community fundraising campaigns. With your support, we’re ready for the challenge and confident we can make this vision a reality.

The Joinery current vs vision: