The Lock-Up’s heritage site and Artist in Residence program are revered by artists and curators nationwide. The Lock-Up is an absolute jewel in Newcastle’s cultural crown. Nowhere else in Australia (and possibly the world) is such cutting-edge contemporary art shown on top of grim history that was the old Newcastle Police Station (that operated from 1861 to 1982) – known to all during these years as The Lock-Up. Every exhibition and event since The Lock-Up debuted as a contemporary art space in 2014 has been interesting, thought-provoking and sometimes just jolly good fun.