Arts Murihiku will open its new community arts space in Invercargill on Thursday.
The Whare Taupua - The Rest Room is a dedicated place for community exhibitions, meetings, workshops, small gigs and performances.
Chairwoman Rebecca Amundsen said the project had taken more time than expected as it was meant to be opening in April last year.
However, due to renovation challenges and Covid-19 delays, the work was delayed.
She was pleased the project had finally come alive.
It would be available for use by people and groups across the sector and would be low cost, ensuring there were as few barriers as possible, she said.
"Opening the community arts space has been a long time in the making, but our team is hugely excited we are now able to offer arts practitioners here in the South a space in which they can continue to grow and build upon their creativity."
She hoped the space would enhance and strengthen culture in the region.
"I just think it is important that the arts community has a place where they can come together, where they can meet, hold events and activities on a regular basis without huge barriers like cost.
"A place where we can share ideas and start to collaborate more and really start to grow."
The project was given a huge boost after the successful application to Manatu Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritages Regeneration Fund, Mrs Amundsen said.
It has received $448,000 in funding from the ministry to support its "Pathways for the Arts in Murihiku" initiative, which aims to create an arts incubator programme; to resource and activate the new community arts space in Invercargill; and to create a record of the journey to show the impact of these actions and the long-term development of the arts sector over the next 18 months.
"[We want] to build a ripple effect that will support the development of arts within the wider Southland region."
The official opening and blessing of the site in Forth St will be held from 4pm on Thursday.
