Underutilised Victorian buildings to be transformed into creative spaces

Plans are underway to transform underutilised buildings across Victoria into reimagined spaces for local art and creative communities to perform, produce, create and deliver works.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks  announced the more than $620,000 in funding will be used to transform existing buildings across the state and turn them into creative spaces – helping attract new audiences to the arts and create new revenue streams for Victorian creatives.

Nine council-owned facilities across the state are getting a creative makeover thanks to the latest round of the State Government’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program.

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.

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 getting funding for local projects, with Portland Arts Centre, Portland Civic Hall, Heywood Community Hall and Casterton Town Hall using the money to make enhancements so that creative groups can use all four spaces to develop, rehearse, work and present performances.

Dance schools and community groups will 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 much-loved venue Meeniyan Town Hall in South Gippsland will get a new sound system.

The Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program is part of the State 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

Image. Geelong Customs House