An Arts Centre as a Garden

Forgan Arts Centre’s activities and operations are conceptualised as An Arts Centre as a Garden, a methodology rooted in permaculture principles. This is an experiment: imagining an art centre as a garden where a multisensory and sentient ecology of plants, people, and creatures support one another through mutually beneficial relationships and reciprocity.

Introducing nxa

Over the winter months, nxa (no-ah) will spend time with the land, the plants, the animals, the water, the air, the soil and the people of Forgan Arts Centre.   

Drawing on Moluccan and queer/trans lineages of kinship, nxa considers how communities coalesce and structure around/within severance, uncertainty, abolition, response-ability, reciprocity and trust. 

Their first event will be a gathering as part of Edge School, our peer-to-peer learning programme for LGBTQIA+ creatives. 

Classes and Workshops Autumn Winter 2026

The next term of classes are now available to book. Sign up to learn Upholstery, Quilting As Art, Pottery, Basketry or gather together with your wee ones for Wildlings.

Small Acts Mending Circle

This is a new fortnightly meetup that brings people together to sit and and work on mending moth eaten or worn-out clothes. Led by facilitator and textile artist Rhona Jack, we’ll focus on repairing holes and creating visible repairs that celebrate the history of the garment. Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge for participation or booking required.

Interested in coming? Click the button below for more information.

Connecting Voices

Connecting Voices is a place to sing together.

It’s a group where people come together to use their voices, singing, making experimental sounds, and playing with vocal exercises. The group meets twice a month on Coorie Saturdays.

Everyone is welcome. Anyone who wants to use their voice, from complete beginners to regular singers and performers. It’s a space to meet others, enjoy time together, build confidence, and develop awareness of others through close listening and vocalising.

Gardening for the Future

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday we host an open volunteer meet-up in the gardens at the centre. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary. The meet-up is led by gardener, grower, and environmentalist Dr Helena Simmons who will support people to get involved.

The activities include building raised beds, learning about ‘no-dig’ growing, planting vegetable and flowers, harvesting, and the never ending weeding and pruning to keep the gardens tidy. All activities relate to the sustainability, improving biodiversity, and tackling the climate emergency.

Coorie Saturdays

Coorie Saturdays are a blend of lots of different activities at that you can get involved in. From drop in crafting, singing workshops, learning about gardening and food growing, and workshops and classes. There’s free tea, coffee, juice and snacks available all day, free of charge.