City Of Melbourne Provides Affordable Accommodation For Artists 1

Media Release Thursday 3 December 2009




City of Melbourne provides affordable accommodation for artists

The City of Melbourne is bringing artists back to the heart of the city by providing affordable
spaces to build and showcase their works.

Through the Creative Spaces program, run in partnership with Arts Victoria, Council identifies
vacant property in the city and works with property owners to make these spaces available to
artists to use on a temporary basis.

Boyd School, in Southbank, was the first vacant property that Council developed for artists.
Boyd School artists will open their studios to the public for the first time this Saturday, 5
December.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the Creative Spaces - Boyd School Studios project
demonstrated Council's commitment to fostering Melbourne's arts and business communities.

"As rental costs in Melbourne continue to rise, more and more artistic talent is forced out of
the city as they look for affordable work spaces," the Lord Mayor said.

"Boyd School Studios shows how adaptive reuse of vacant buildings can be successful for
artists, communities and the buildings in which they exist, while also contributing to the
vibrancy and economy of our city."

The studios open to the public on Saturday and will showcase works from around 50 local
artists who range in age from 19 to 80 years, including Vincent Fantauzzo (winner of the
Archibald Prize People's Choice Award 2008-09) and Reko Rennie-Gwaybilla (winner of the
2008 Victorian Indigenous Art Award).

Chair of the People and Creative City Committee, Councillor Jennifer Kanis, said Council's
support of the arts was paramount to ensuring Melbourne continued to be the centre for arts
in Australia.

"Council understands that a thriving arts scene is what has made Melbourne the city it is and
is a key component in maintaining our vitality and attractiveness," Cr Kanis said.

"The Boyd School Studios open day will provide art enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to
view a live, thriving arts community and engage with artists in the heart of Melbourne."

The Creative Spaces - Boyd School Studios open day is on Saturday 5 December 2009, from
12pm to 5pm. Boyd School Studios is located at 207 221 City Road Southbank (entrance
the corner of Balston and Kavanagh Streets).


Ends



For further information, please contact Jenni Bolton on 9658 9115 or
[email protected], or visit www.creativespaces.net.au .