FunHaus Factory celebrates One Year in its Gosford home

One year ago, FunHaus Factory faced the biggest challenge in its history. After operating from Kibble Park’s community space, a much-loved venue ultimately earmarked for demolition, the volunteer-led arts and culture organisation made the bold decision to take on a commercial lease at 141 Mann Street, Gosford. For a not-for-profit arts organisation, it was a significant gamble. The choice was simple: move forward or close the doors. Twelve months later, FunHaus Factory is celebrating not only its first birthday in its new home, but a year of remarkable impact for artists, audiences and the broader Central Coast community.

Since opening on Mann Street, FunHaus Factory has delivered more than 260 activations, welcomed almost 18,000 visitors, and contributed almost $400,000 in paid work to artists, performers, technicians and creative workers. The organisation now hosts everything from live music, theatre, comedy and cabaret to community gatherings, cultural celebrations, youth programs and free public events.
Yet the story of FunHaus Factory began long before its move into the CBD. Originally launched as Naughty Noodle FunHaus in 2018, the organisation was founded with an ambitious vision: to put the Central Coast on Australia’s east coast touring map while creating a stronger culture of participation, creativity and inclusion within the region itself.

“When we first started, the Central Coast was often overlooked by touring artists, musicians and contemporary productions,” says Creative Director Glitta Supernova. “Today we’re welcoming touring Fringe theatre, nationally recognised performers, musicians, comedians and creative projects that simply weren’t making the Coast part of their journey before. We’ve gone from convincing artists to stop here to having artists approach us directly.”
Over the years, FunHaus Factory has also built a reputation as one of the Central Coast’s leading advocates for diversity and inclusion. Through events, performances, festivals and community programs, the organisation has worked to create greater visibility and opportunities for communities that have historically been underrepresented.

Initiatives such as Coastal Twist, alongside year-round programming, have helped establish new spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities, artists, young people and multicultural groups to connect, celebrate and participate. Today, the venue regularly hosts cultural events representing Latino, Afro and South Asian communities while also providing a home for youth-focused initiatives such as Sound Playground, a monthly all-ages live music program.
At the entrance to the venue sits a statement that has become a defining reflection of the organisation’s values: “This is FunHaus. A SafeHaus for all. Respect is your ticket in. No hate, no hassles, no exceptions.” For many visitors, those words are more than a slogan. They reflect a commitment to creating a space where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to be themselves.
That commitment, however, has not always come without challenges.

“We’ve often found ourselves on the firing line for standing up for inclusion,” says Glitta. “Over the years we’ve experienced threats, vandalism and organised opposition to events. Ironically, those experiences have only reinforced why we exist. We’ve also seen enormous community support, shifting attitudes and people finding a sense of belonging they couldn’t find elsewhere.”
FunHaus Factory operates under three guiding pillars: Cause, Culture and Creativity. As a not-for-profit organisation, its focus extends beyond entertainment. Every event, project and initiative is designed to support artists, strengthen community connections and demonstrate the role arts and culture can play in creating positive social change.

“We often talk about trading for social purpose,” says Juan Iocco. “Everything we do is about using arts and culture as a force for positive change. We create opportunities for artists, but we’re also creating spaces for connection, participation and community. That’s the real impact of cultural venues.”

Despite its achievements, the organisation faces significant financial pressures. For the past year, FunHaus Factory has operated a venue where more than half of all programming is offered free to the community while carrying the full cost of a commercial lease. The organisation now pays approximately $120,000 annually in rent and utilities, while navigating rising operating costs, reduced funding opportunities and broader challenges affecting both the arts and hospitality sectors.

“Many comparable organisations operate from subsidised premises,” says Juan. “Our reality has been different. We chose to take on a commercial venue because the alternative was disappearing altogether. It’s been one of the toughest years the arts sector has faced, but we’ve continued to adapt and keep delivering for our community.”

Despite those challenges, both Juan and Glitta remain optimistic about the future. Looking back over the past eight years, they have watched ideas once considered fringe become mainstream, seen new creative communities emerge and witnessed growing demand for arts and cultural experiences across the Central Coast.

“One of my life mottos has always been ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,'” says Glitta. “That’s exactly how FunHaus Factory was born. We saw something missing and instead of waiting for someone else to create it, we built it ourselves. Everything we’ve achieved has been powered by artists, volunteers, audiences and community members who believed it was possible.”

As FunHaus Factory celebrates its first birthday in its Gosford home, the organisation is asking the community to help ensure there is a second. “If you value local artists, inclusion and arts and culture on the Central Coast, the best way to support us is simple: turn up,” says Glitta. “Come to a show, bring a friend, have a meal or a drink, and be part of what we’re building. Every visit helps keep this community space alive.”