Media Release
Designer Danielle Brustman announced as inaugural Bank of Melbourne Collingwood Resident at Collingwood Arts Precinct
10 October
Bank of Melbourne and Contemporary Arts Precincts Ltd (CAP) have today announced the inaugural Bank of Melbourne Collingwood Resident: theatrical and interior designer Danielle Brustman. Awarded the 2020 residency following a competitive process where an expert panel reviewed more than 150 applications, Danielle will bring her creative eye to the former classroom originally built in 1938 that will be her office and studio for the next year.
The residency program is a partnership between CAP and Bank of Melbourne, and consists of a package valued at $30,000 to support a startup creative enterprise to grow: a large studio space in the soon-to-open refurbished heritage site in the heart of Collingwood, a $10,000 Bank of Melbourne bank account and handpicked mentors for professional and business development. An accomplished interior designer, Danielle will build on her background in theatrical design to create unique pieces that marry her love of function and form with an emphasis on local craftspeople and thoughtful materials. Danielle says “I am so excited to be joining the Collingwood Arts Precinct. Thank you so much to CAP and Bank of Melbourne for giving me this unique opportunity to develop my design practice and work in such a supportive and incredibly stimulating setting."
The judging panel consisting of Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Michelle Winzer and Head of Brand & Marketing Ashley Gray, together with Chairman of Mering Corporation and philanthropist Jason Yeap OAM, CAP Ltd’s CEO Marcus Westbury and Board Member James Tutton, The Design Files’ Lucy Feagins, and artist and academic Callum Morton particularly noted Danielle’s collaborative practice and remarkable drive. CAP Ltd CEO Marcus Westbury says “Danielle was the standout candidate. She’s a talented artist at a stage in her career where the residency will allow her to grow and develop her practice and her business. We’re thrilled about welcoming her to the CAP community.”
Bank of Melbourne is the Founding Corporate Partner of Collingwood Arts Precinct. In addition to the residency program designed to support up-and-coming artists and creatives break into the industry, Bank of Melbourne has provided unique financial support to the precinct regeneration. Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Michelle Winzer said “The residency is a unique way for Bank of Melbourne to support the arts, and enable the next generation of Victorian artists to build their creative enterprise. Every business needs a network of support to succeed, and we’re excited about collaborating with Danielle and the CAP community to build a diverse, creative hub in Melbourne’s northern city fringe.”
Applications for the 2021 residency will open in mid-2020.
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About Bank of Melbourne
Bank of Melbourne is Victoria’s local bank, with branches throughout metro Melbourne and regional Victoria. Since re-launching in 2011, the bank has become an integral part of the communities it serves, and supported more than 125 local charities with over $3.6 million in grants through its charitable foundation. With a local Advisory Board chaired by Elizabeth Proust AO and a local executive team, the bank has a full-service offering across the retail, premium, private, and business segments.
About Contemporary Arts Precincts Ltd
Contemporary Arts Precincts is a new entity established to deliver vibrant, cross-disciplinary creative precincts that provide spaces and support for not-for-profit small to medium creative organisations and individuals.
About Collingwood Arts Precinct
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.
About Danielle Brustman
Danielle Brustman's Melbourne studio encompasses a broad spectrum of practice, from residential interiors and commercial design for hospitality and retail through to set design for performance, furniture and lighting design. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from RMIT Melbourne, where she currently teaches a design studio.
Danielle takes a cross-disciplinary approach to interior design, with a distinctive flair for colour, materiality, composition and form. Her warm, richly layered interiors present a unique visual language that integrates striking aesthetics with a considered approach to spatial design. She applies these principles across residential and commercial interiors, as well as bespoke furniture, objects, lighting and sets for performances and installations.
Danielle began her career as a set designer for theatre and performance, collaborating with some of Australia's most celebrated theatre makers, companies and artists. In 2012, she established her interior design studio focusing on hospitality, retail and residential projects. Her set designer background is evident in her work, with colour, light and spectacle playing a vital role in her signature interiors.
Danielle was invited to participate in the Rigg Design Prize 2018, Australia’s highest accolade for contemporary design. Her shortlisted entry was exhibited alongside some of Australia’s most prominent interior designers and decorators at The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). In 2019, Danielle was commissioned by Kay & Burton to create an installation for the NGV Women’s Association’s ‘Art Of Dining’ initiative. In 2014 and 2015 Danielle designed and collaborated on site-specific installations and sets for the Unconscious Collective’s major immersive installations ‘Wild at Heart’ and ‘Motel Dreaming’ as part of Hobart’s Dark Mofo Festival Program. In 2013 Danielle’s interior design work for the Amelia Shaw Bar & Salon was shortlisted in the ‘Best Bar Design’ Category at the Eat Drink Design Awards.
Danielle is currently working on 3 interior design projects and preparing for 2 exhibitions, including one at Sophie Gannon Gallery for Melbourne Design Week 2020.