TWO urban renewal projects in central Geelong will share in $250,000 in state government funding to breathe new life into the city\u2019s vacant spaces.<\/p>\n
Creative Geelong will receive $100,000 towards its Makers Hub in Centrepoint Arcade, which includes a range of co-working, workshop, makerspace and studio facilities for use by creative practitioners and community groups, and delivers opportunities for people of all ages to develop their skills and ideas.<\/p>\n
Renew Australia will receive $150,000 to deliver the Renew Geelong program, a new initiative by national social enterprise Renew Australia that will activate vacant spaces by incubating short-term uses by creative enterprises and independent local businesses on a rent-free basis via a rolling 30-day license.<\/p>\n
Both projects have received matched funding from the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
Creative Geelong president Jennifer Cromarty said the Makers Hub had been operating for six months and the extra support from Creative Victoria would enable an acceleration of the impacts, increase outreach and further develop the offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity to work alongside a national organisation of Renew Australia\u2019s calibre is a huge boost to Creative Geelong and its burgeoning community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are greatly encouraged by Creative Victoria\u2019s belief in our purpose as we work towards realising Geelong\u2019s community vision of \u2018Clever and Creative\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Renew Australia will shortly begin the process of securing vacant spaces in the city centre through agents, property owners and developers and will be seeking expressions of interest from creative enterprises in the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cRenew Australia are excited to be working alongside the local community and property owners to activate otherwise vacant space in the Geelong CBD,\u201d Renew Australia manager Angela Simons said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the support of Creative Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong, the Renew Geelong project will provide opportunities for creatives, and not-for-profits and social enterprises, to trial an idea while activating otherwise vacant space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to be working in collaboration with Creative Geelong to reimagine the use of otherwise empty space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley visited Geelong last week to announce the grants.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TWO urban renewal projects in central Geelong will share in $250,000 in state government funding to breathe new life into the city\u2019s vacant spaces. Creative Geelong will receive $100,000 towards its Makers Hub in Centrepoint Arcade, which includes a range of co-working, workshop, makerspace and studio facilities for use by creative practitioners and community groups, […]<\/p>\n