Emporium Hub home to creatives’ aspirations

THE go-to venue for Greater Bendigo’s creative types, Emporium Creative Hub in Mitchell Street is primed for another groundbreaking year following its integration with La Trobe University just over twelve months ago.

As well as providing pay-as-you-go workspaces for aspiring and established artists, designers and other visual arts practitioners and the like, the Emporium will continue its three-month residency program, which includes a free desk plus the use of its studio, meeting rooms and other facilities.

More highlights of the 2026 calendar include Bendigo AI Thinkspace, a regular get together focused on artificial intelligence, creativity, innovation and practical AI thinking held on the third Thursday of every month.

Meanwhile, Stepping Out, a full-day professional development program suited to emerging artists, takes place in June.

Coordinator Linden Read said people partnering with other arts or cultural institutions around Bendigo to develop creative content “is also another thing that we do”.

“The aim of the Hub has always been to act as a physical space where people can come for practical support, to discuss ideas, to explore networks and collaborations, all within that creative context,” she said.

“Having them in here at different times brings a great dynamic to the space, where we have this mix of creative practice-based work and commercial enterprise type stuff.”

Ms Read said it is important from the co-working facility’s perspective to be somewhere where “we can connect people with different services or opportunities”.

“That’s where we like to sit, directing people and making the connections where we can,” she said.

She encouraged anyone interested to “come and have a cuppa and have a look”.

“I’m always happy to show people around and have a chat about what they’re doing,” Ms Read said.

Find out more on the Emporium’s website, where you can also sign up to its newsletter.