Media Release

Melbourne’s creative community will benefit from a funding and support model developed by Bank of Melbourne and Contemporary Arts Precincts Ltd, with the support of the Victorian Government.

Bank of Melbourne has provided financial support to transform the landmark site into a new arts precinct.  As well as a tailored financing package to help rejuvenate the Collingwood site, the partnership includes a CAP/Bank of Melbourne residency worth $30,000 to help up-and-coming artists and creative enterprises to break into the industry. Set to launch and open for applications in mid-2019, the year-long residency will include rental at CAP, a $10,000 Bank of Melbourne bank account, mentoring from industry leaders, and the opportunity to collaborate with the CAP tenant community. One residency will be offered each year, for the next 5 years.

Once home to the Collingwood Technical School, the 6,400 square metre site is being transformed into an exciting creative space in the heart of Collingwood. Currently a series of vacant buildings and courtyards adjacent to the Circus Oz headquarters, the site will be rejuvenated to become a hub of art, design, music and performance. The CAP project was established by the Victorian State government and is led by the not-for-profit social enterprise Contemporary Arts Precincts Ltd. Once completed, the precinct will provide a stable, secure, supportive and affordable home for the next wave of Australian artists to grow, experiment, collaborate, and innovate.

Confirmed tenants so far include PBS106.7FM and the Music Market, a new hub and home for Victoria’s contemporary music industry – which will move into the site as anchor tenants on its opening. A number of additional tenants across performance, visual arts, literature and more will be announced in coming months.

Contemporary Arts Precincts CEO Marcus Westbury said “CAP is excited to collaborate with Bank of Melbourne to deliver a genuinely innovative partnership. Their support allows CAP to fully complete the works required to reopen the former Collingwood Technical School site as a new creative hub next year. Bank of Melbourne's support will flow through to ensure real and vital opportunities for artists, the creative community and the people of Collingwood and Melbourne.”

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Michelle Winzer said “We’re thrilled to partner with Marcus and the team at CAP to breathe new life into a thriving creative corner on Melbourne’s city fringe. At Bank of Melbourne, we love supporting grassroots community causes that make the arts accessible to a new audience. Programs like the CAP/Bank of Melbourne residency support creative enterprise, reinforcing Melbourne’s position as the nation’s cultural capital.” 

About the Collingwood Arts Precinct

The CAP project was established by the Victorian State Government with the crucial support of leading philanthropic individuals and organisations and is led by the not-for-profit social enterprise Contemporary Arts Precincts Ltd. Located at 35 Johnston Street Collingwood, the site's history as a place of learning and creativity dates back to 1871, when it opened its doors as the Collingwood School of Art and Design. In 1923, the main building - with its landmark façade on Johnston Street - began life as the Collingwood Technical School. After both World Wars, the school provided vocational training to thousands of returned soldiers. At its height in 1958 it had more than 3,200 students. The site served as an educational facility for over a century, spawning generations of makers, artists, artisans and creatives.

 

Media enquiries

Helen Shaw, Bank of Melbourne Corporate Affairs
0402 227 881, helen.shaw@bankofmelbourne.com.au

Julia Gregg, CAP Marketing & Communications
0423 689 245, Julia@contemporaryartsprecincts.org