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Turning Vacant Places to Local Creative Spaces in Eastern Victoria

Projects to develop new creative spaces under Regional Coworking Spaces and Creative Places program.

By Portal Admin - 15th September 2019 - Back to News

Visionaries in Eastern Victoria can establish or enhance local creative spaces under the Andrews Labor Government’s new Regional Coworking Spaces and Creative Places program.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing opened expressions of interests for grants of up to $75,000 for projects that will foster the development of new creative spaces and help existing spaces run programs and activities to connect with the community.

The program, which will run as a pilot in 2019, is the first Creative Victoria program to support infrastructure costs as well as projects and partnerships that will bring creative spaces like coworking hubs, artist studios, rehearsal spaces and more to life.

Supported projects could include a feasibility study or fit-out costs to transform a vacant building into an artist’s studio, buying equipment for an existing space, putting seed funding into a program for local creatives or a project make a creative space more accessible to the community.

A simple expressions of interest process is now online and individuals, organisations and collectives, including social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and councils in Eastern Victoria are invited to apply.

Regional Coworking Spaces and Creative Places is an initiative of Creative State 2016-2020, the Labor Government’s strategy to grow the creative industries and the impact creativity makes on communities large and small.

Applications for Regional Coworking Spaces and Creative Places close on 9 October 2019. For full program guidelines, visit creative.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries and Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

"This program backs regional Victoria to play a growing role in the creative life of the State – I encourage our boldest thinkers, innovators and creative risk-takers in Eastern Victoria to embrace this exciting opportunity."

"Supported by the Andrews Labor Government, this is a chance to bring new programs into an existing creative space or to transform a disused or underutilised space into a vibrant hub in Eastern Victoria."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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• Tim Bull says rising retail crime reflects Victoria’s weak approach, despite claims of toughest bail laws
  Retail theft is surging in East Gippsland, with repeat offenders emboldened. Tim Bull calls for tougher penalties, accountability, and support for struggling households to protect businesses and local communities.
• East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
  East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities.
• Danny O’Brien urges Labor government to disclose Gippsland South public housing vacancies amid growing local housing crisis
  Danny O’Brien has urged the Allan Labor government to disclose how many public housing homes in Gippsland South are vacant, highlighting community frustration and the urgent need for transparency.
• East Gippsland community impact grants fund projects strengthening communities and supporting environment
  East Gippsland’s 2025 Community Impact Grants received 36 applications, funding 15 projects focused on community strengthening, environmental sustainability, facilities, and open space, supporting local growth, inclusion and creative initiatives.
• Melina Bath criticises Allan government over poor safety ratings on Eastern Victoria roads
  Melina Bath criticises Allan government after AusRAP reveals most eastern Victoria roads rated one or two stars, highlighting neglect, poor maintenance, and increased risk of serious injury or fatalities.