Having the right infrastructure in place is vital to the success of our creative sector. Victoria is blessed with a diverse range of creative venues and facilities that underpin our creative state, setting the stage for the performances, exhibitions and other creative events and activities we love.
Creative Victoria is currently working with partner organisations on a range of cultural infrastructure projects across the state, including:
Meat Market upgrades
The Meat Market, located in North Melbourne, is an iconic creative space that provides homebase for range of creative organisations as well as performance, event, rehearsal and meeting room spaces for hire by the creative community.
The Victorian Government through Creative Victoria is currently leading on two construction projects that will enhance the venue – the creation of a new flexible and acoustically treated rehearsal hall and performance space in the Flat Floor Pavilion, and a new access ramp at the back of the building in the car park and courtyard area.
The new rehearsal and performance space has been designed to be a shared space. When complete, it will be used as a rehearsal space for Orchestra Victoria,a Meat Market tenant, and will also be available for hire for performances and events. Hirers will be able to enclose the space for small scale events or open it up for full event mode. Works on the Flat Floor Pavilion are scheduled for completion in Spring 2024.
The new ramp will ensure greater access for all abilities, delivering a great outcome for users of site. It will also improve loading for events (i.e. for food and beverage delivery and bump in requirements). This work is anticipated to be complete in mid 2024.
Creative Victoria, the City of Melbourne and Meat Market team are currently working with stakeholders to minimise disruption to the creative sector during the construction process.
If you have any questions please contact the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation and Infrastructure team at cvinfrastructure@creative.vic.gov.au
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation
The $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project is creating one of the world’s great creative and cultural destinations in Melbourne’s Southbank.
Australia’s largest ever cultural infrastructure project will deliver new and upgraded landmark cultural attractions, create 18,000 square metres of public green space, and make the precinct easier to navigate, better connected and more vibrant.
The project includes building The Fox: NGV Contemporary, Australia’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design, and upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building with extensive refurbishment of the iconic State Theatre, and new restaurants and bars.
The new public space, filled with biodiverse plantings, will connect Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International, The Fox: NGV Contemporary and beyond, while underground shared services infrastructure will ensure the seamless and sustainable operations of the precinct and its venues.
New connections and improved access will guide people into and through the precinct between St Kilda Road, Southbank, Southgate and Sturt Street.
The transformation is expected create more than 11,000 new jobs over the life of the project and attract millions more cultural tourists every year.
Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment
The $140 million Little Malop Street redevelopment is the latest and most ambitious stage of the transformation of Geelong Arts Centre. With a unique design that reflects Geelong’s history, culture and creativity, the project will modernise and expand the centre with multiple new performance venues, upgraded front and back-of-house facilities, more dining options and improved visitor spaces.
When the redevelopment is complete in 2023, Geelong Arts Centre will be the largest regional performing arts centre in Australia.
Old Kyneton Primary School
The $12 million Old Kyneton Primary School project will breathe new life into the former school in Baynton Street, Kyneton by making the site and buildings safe and accessible and set the stage for its future as a creative and community hub.
The 1.2-hectare site will remain publicly owned and once the project is complete, it will include a gallery space in the historic school, as well as spaces for use by artists, artisans and the community.
Malthouse Outdoor Stage
The historic Malthouse Theatre is one of Melbourne’s iconic arts venues, and this project will preserve and enhance it, while supporting the theatre’s popular outdoor stage program.
Works will allow for more ambitious outdoor performances with new lighting, stage footings and an outdoor tech desk. Artists will be supported with upgrades to the Malthouse workshop, which will provide a dedicated green room for the outdoor stage.
Other works include resurfacing the courtyard, opening up the foyer to improve the visitor experience, and replacing the roof of the building.
