Arts Infrastructure
Moreland is home to a plethora of galleriers, studios, artist warehouses and performance spaces that support our thriving arts ecology.
Moreland Council recognises that Arts Infrastructure - the physical spaces and digital platforms that support the creative and cultural industry - is essential to the ongoing livelihood of the arts sector.
The conditions that have made Merri-bek an attractive place for artists to establish and thrive include affordable rents, small-scale premises and disused industrial spaces. These conditions are now vulnerable to significant change as neighbourhoods such as Brunswick and Coburg experience increased demand for residential development. This significant development activity will continue to put upward pressure on rents and is highly likely to lead to the displacement of arts spaces and the arts community that these spaces support.
Arts Infrastructure Plan
The Arts Infrastructure Plan (PDF 6Mb) stems from Creative Capital (PDF 4Mb) - Moreland’s Arts and Culture Strategy, which sets out what Council will be doing over the next five years to strengthen and grow Merri-bek’s creative sector
The Plan focuses on arts infrastructure, which includes spaces where art is either created or exhibited, both physical and digital. The actions will be delivered by Council and through Council’s support of independent spaces in the municipality.
There are documents on this page in PDF-only format. If you have trouble opening or viewing a PDF document, contact Council and we will arrange to provide the information in a format that suits your needs. See Council's accessibility page for further details
Resources
Arts Investment Grant
Moreland's Arts Investment Grants are specifically targeted at supporting the development and Arts Infrastructure in Merri-bek.
More details and instructions on how to apply for these grants can be found here.
Arts Infrastructure Officer
Moreland has employed an Arts Infrastructure Officer to oversee the implementation of the Arts Infrastructure Plan and to provide practical assistance to artists and arts infrastructure in Merri-bek. The Arts and Culture Unit is available to give advice and assistance to artists and creative industries seeking clarification and resources for setting up and maintaining arts infrastructure in Merri-bek including the navigation of planning process and regulations.
For further information please contact eservice@moreland.vic.gov.au and 9240 2334.
Starting an arts space
The process of transforming a traditional space into a creative space can sometimes be difficult. Once a space is established, there are also challenges around continuing the space.
4 Walls: Starting an Arts Space (PDF 3Mb) is a free guide to assist people in setting up a new creative or studio space in the City of Merri-bek as well as to maintain the space.
Subjects covered include insurance, marketing, permits and planning, liaising with real estate agents, finance and advice from various local studio founders.
For more information or to request a Word version of the guide phone the Arts and Culture Unit on 9240 1111.
Creative Spaces listing
Creative Spaces is a free resource to list or find spaces to hire or rent to develop, create, exhibit or perform creative work.
This includes artist studios, photography studios, gallery and exhibition spaces, hot desks, rehearsal and performance spaces, pop-up shops and theatres.
Creative Spaces is a program of the City of Melbourne.
See spaces listed in Merri-bek on Creative Spaces.