Courtyard to be centrepiece of arts hub in the heart of Collingwood

An old school site in inner Melbourne is to become a thriving arts hub as diverse as its local community. But see what else is planned for the site.

Circus Oz is based next to the Collingwood Arts Precinct.

A green courtyard will be the centrepiece of an inner city arts hub on a former school site.

The proposed courtyard at Collingwood Arts Precinct will have a pedestrian link to Johnston St.

Precinct CEO Marcus Westbury said it would provide much needed public space in a crowded neighbourhood.

“Our plan has always been to create a space and a tenant mix that is as diverse and open as the Collingwood community,” he said.

FORMER SCHOOL SITE TO BECOME ARTS PRECINCT

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GROLLO BACKS ARTS PRECINCT IN KING ST

Artist image of proposed courtyard at Collingwood Arts Precinct.

The 6400 sqm site is next to Circus Oz and includes the old Collingwood Technical School building.

Bank of Melbourne has provided funds to help turn it into an arts precinct, as well as setting up a $30,000 residency for up-and-coming artists and creative enterprises.

It can be revealed that organisations Bad Apples Music, Bus Projects, Reverb Prints, Auspicious Arts Projects and The Social Studio will move there when it opens in the next 12 months.

They will join community radio station PBS106.7FM and The Music Market (comprising The

Push, Music Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office).

Work on creating Collingwood Arts Precinct is underway.

Mr Westbury said: “The Collingwood Arts Precinct will be home to a diverse mix of exceptional artists and arts organisations across music, visual arts and social enterprise.”

Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley said the significant site in the heart of Collingwood had been all but abandoned.

“It’s now being returned to the community for creative use, thanks to a partnership between the state government and philanthropy,” he said.

“(The precinct) is set to be a must-visit creative destination for Melbourne, home to a thriving creative community, and a hive of creative endeavour.”

Individuals and smaller groups will have a chance to apply for spaces later this year.

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