Ideas sought for city centre activities

INDIVIDUALS, businesses and groups who live, work or study in the Greater Bendigo region are invited to submit public activation ideas for the city centre.

The invitation is the initial step in the new City Centre Community Activation Grants program, which is designed to fund small, one-off activities or a series of larger engaging, vibrant events spread throughout the year.

Creative City co-ordinator Maree Tonkin said it was an opportunity for the community and businesses to put forward their own concepts.

“This program hopes to attract diverse ideas and community-led activities to be hosted in the city.

“Hargreaves Mall is an ideal location with the new stage and lots of space to host art making, music, dance, performances, markets, cultural celebrations, business ideas, workshops, fashion, temporary pop-up art, augmented reality, technology-based work and much more.

“We’re seeking activation proposals to take place throughout the year with a focus on school holidays and Saturdays.

“(They) must be free for the public to attend and the content suitable for presentation in a public place.”

“We want to hear your big, clever and creative ideas that can be turned into vibrant and engaging activations for the public to enjoy.

“Priority will be given to projects that champion access and inclusion, aim to increase community engagement and participation and are representative of the broad demographic mix in Greater Bendigo.”

Applications, which close at 5pm on August 4, can be submitted via the Bendigo Venues and Events website.