Local screen organisation FTI will be moving from Fremantle to Perth after more than 40 years in the port city after the City of Fremantle announced it would be performing major renovations at the old Fremantle Boys’ School building.
FTI announced last week that it would be operating out of the Perth Cultural Centre, while retaining first rights to move back into the building once renovations were finished, expected to be in 2016.
FTI chief executive Paul Bodlovich said they had a mixture of emotions about the move, but there was much to be considered regarding their location in the future.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘Anytime one leaves a long- time home, there are plenty of things that will be missed,’ he said. ‘We are going to do some initial planning this year around what taking up the lease at the Fremantle Boys School may look like after the renovations are complete.
‘Obviously the Princess May precinct will have changed somewhat through that period and we’re already excited about the prospect of being a part of that.
‘Our key consideration though will be around whether there are activities and partnerships that we can develop which will provide benefit to our constituents, our stakeholders and the community.’
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the recent activity would not stop Fremantle being thought of as an arts city.
‘While I don’t like to see these or other similar organisations close or leave, there is enough great stuff happening in the arts here that I’m not too concerned about the future of Freo as an arty city,’ he said.
‘FTI is a bit of a Freo institution, so I hope we’ll be able to persuade them back once the restoration work is complete.’