Creative projects seek space through grants

TWO urban renewal projects in central Geelong will share in $250,000 in state government funding to breathe new life into the city’s 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, and delivers opportunities for people of all ages to develop their skills and ideas.

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.

Both projects have received matched funding from the City of Greater Geelong.

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.

“The opportunity to work alongside a national organisation of Renew Australia’s calibre is a huge boost to Creative Geelong and its burgeoning community.

“We are greatly encouraged by Creative Victoria’s belief in our purpose as we work towards realising Geelong’s community vision of ‘Clever and Creative’.”

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.

“Renew Australia are excited to be working alongside the local community and property owners to activate otherwise vacant space in the Geelong CBD,” Renew Australia manager Angela Simons said.

“With 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.

“We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Creative Geelong to reimagine the use of otherwise empty space.”

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley visited Geelong last week to announce the grants.