The Victorian Government has announced more than $620,000 in funding to transform existing buildings across the state into creative spaces.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said the new funding round will help to breathe new life into underutilised buildings, providing local art and creative communities with reimagined spaces to perform, produce, create and deliver works.
“From transforming heritage buildings into creative hubs, to backing significant equipment upgrades for performances, this program makes a big impact for local creatives and their communities,” said Minister Brooks.
“We’re improving our creative spaces across the state – it’s a very tangible way of helping the creative industry to continue developing and presenting their work, close to home.”
Greater Geelong, Central Goldfields, Glenelg Shire, Hume, South Gippsland and Swan Hill have all received funding to undertake projects ranging from purchasing equipment to fits outs and refurbishments under the Government’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program.
Venues include Geelong Customs House which will undergo refurbishments to become a space for creativity and design, and the historic Maryborough Railway Station which will be transformed to incorporate creative co-working spaces, flexible staging and seating for performance and digital projection.
Four venues in Glenelg Shire are receiving funding for local projects, with Portland Arts Centre, Portland Civic Hall, Heywood Community Hall and Casterton Town Hall using the money to make enhancements to allow creative groups to use all four spaces to develop, rehearse, work and present performances.
Dance schools and community groups will also be better placed to rehearse and hold performances at Craigieburn Community Centre, with new stage curtains, a lighting system, ballet barre and mirrors.
New furniture and equipment will be added to the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery’s new Creative Educational and Workshop Space, and South Gippsland’s Meeniyan Town Hall (pictured) will get a new sound system.
The Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program is part of the Government’s $6 million Creative Spaces and Places program and is supported by the Community Support Fund.
For more information about the program visit: creative.vic.gov.au.
