More artists, creative organisations and communities across Victoria will benefit from new spaces to create and showcase their work, with boosted investment to upgrade and repurpose local facilities for creative use, made possible by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks has announced an investment of more than $500,000 through the latest round of the Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program (LGA Category), creating more opportunities for every Victorian to celebrate their creativity.
“This program is all about unlocking and improving the spaces available for creative work across every corner of Victoria, so everyone has the opportunity to create and exhibit their work in their community,” said Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks.
“Whether you’re a creative professional in metro or regional Victoria, we are giving more local communities access to facilities that enable high quality productions, exhibitions and other creative offerings.”
The grant program supports local councils to provide artists and creative practitioners with fit-for-purpose, accessible and secure facilities where they can develop their work and careers, and opens up creative spaces for local communities across the state.
With opportunities for every community across metro, suburban and regional Victoria, these grants ensure more creatives have the opportunity to showcase their work and celebrate their artist flare alongside other local creative practitioners.
City of Casey will adapt its under-utilised Narre Warren Mechanics Institute Hall to create the Emerging Artists Creative Hub, with dedicated spaces for collaboration, exhibitions and performances while Colac Otway Shire Council will replace outdated audio visual equipment in the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre to better support and enhance local theatre productions.
Latrobe City Council will complete a dedicated creative industries training space at Traralgon’s Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, while Melton City Council will improve the climate control and environmental monitoring at CS Gallery to create a more functional exhibition space for artists.
Wodonga’s Hothouse Theatre will be upgraded to include a multi-use space that enables performances, workshops, exhibitions, conferences and collaborative workspaces.
The Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program is part of the Victorian Government’s $6 million Creative Spaces and Places program, and is supported by the Community Support Fund. For more information, visit: www.creative.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Traralgon’s Gippsland Performing Arts Centre at night (sourced)