New Collins St creative hub a “landmark moment for the industry”

An office building will be transformed into a brand-new creative hub in the heart of the CBD thanks to the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government’s joint $200 million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund.

The “Collins Street Studio” project will see 1100 sqms of vacant open plan office space at 271 Collins St turned into an arts hub as part of ongoing efforts to support the creative industries following the pandemic.

Announced as part of the council’s 2023-24 budget in May, the studios will serve to provide affordable and adaptive spaces for up to 100 creatives to collaborate and showcase their work.

“A creative hub, a platform for collaborating and the sharing of ideas, resources and skills, opening in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD is a landmark moment for the industry,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

“Melbourne is the creative state, and we have a proud history being the arts and culture capital of Australia – we want to continue that and charge towards the future, creating even more spaces for our creatives to thrive.”

We know that creatives have struggled to find available and affordable spaces in our city – we hope that this opportunity will accelerate investment and collaboration across the arts sector.

As the next iteration of the council’s Creative Spaces program, artists interested in renting an office or studio space within the new hub are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest online, with spaces to be offered at a competitive rate.

The announcement for the new hub comes as the council’s draft Budget 2023-24 puts forward more than $8 million towards local artists, new spaces, and public art projects.

As part of this, $4.3 million has been set aside for local grants and major cultural events, $1.8 million for the delivery and boosting of innovative programs and initiatives, and $1.1 million towards First Nations festival YIRRAMBOI.

“Our draft budget will continue our support for the creative sector as it roars back to life – supporting hundreds of diverse projects that will draw more people to our city with free and affordable performances that bring the city to life,” the council’s Creative Melbourne portfolio lead Cr Jamal Hakim said.

Expressions of interest close on Friday, June 9 at 3pm: creativespaces.net.au/collins-street-studios •