The town of Emerald, located 300 kilometres west of Rockhampton, was proclaimed in 1879. It serves a rich agricultural and mining area. The school of arts was possibly formed in the 1880s. Initial interest, however, was subdued with only three committee members attending the meeting in August 1891. The committee resigned in 1894 when complaints were made that building it was planning was too small, and so a new committee was established. The Building Fund attracted contributions raised by performances of the Amateur Dramatic Club and Amateur Minstrels. The larger building erected by 1896 was suitable for social events such as the ball attended by 100 people to celebrate the end of the dancing season of the Quadrille Association. There was a library of 100 books and a reading room with newspapers, periodicals and magazines. Nevertheless this building proved inadequate and extensions including a stage were completed early in 1900. The building and contents were insured for 100 pounds in 1918.  The school of arts continued as a venue for community activities such as films shown by the hospital committee in 1920.  As early as 1922, however, the Council was making overtures to take over the school of arts with a view to building a Memorial Hall in front of it. This did not eventuate but by 1936 the committee had approached the shire council to assume management of the building. When the council offered the building for sale in 1938 there was little interest, so it was finally demolished and the building materials sold allowing the site on the corner of Edgerton Street and Anakie Street to be used for shire offices.

Reference:

Reid, Marie, Emerald, a Place of Importance, for Emerald Shire Council, Central Queensland University Press, 2001.

Rolfe, John, Emerald and the Gemfields Centenary, 1879-1979, Emerald Shire Council, 1979.