Released 13/09/2022
Canberra’s City Centre is about to get a whole lot more creative. Launched today, the Second Space program seeks to activate and repurpose vacant tenancies and buildings in the City Centre.
This partnership will breathe new life into an otherwise unused space, increase foot traffic and dwell time, generate safety after hours, dissuade anti-social behaviour and provide increased value to property owners. All of which will drive a ripple effect of more people in our City Centre and greater investment, leading to major social and economic benefits for the broader Canberra community.
Importantly, this program also supports our thriving arts and cultural sectors by pairing local creatives with unused spaces to transform.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne opened the Second Space trial in in Civic Square today. The City Renewal Authority has partnered with the Australian National University (ANU) School of Art and Design, Craft ACT and the Cultural Facilities Corporation to establish a space that fosters curiosity and innovative ideas.
“From today the former Elections ACT office will be reinvigorated as a studio space to host creative production and works of an international standard from the ANU School of Art and Design, along with art installations and workshops through the Design Canberra Festival. Bringing these exciting new tenants into the building mix will complement the existing cultural and creative residents to establish a hub that is visually appealing and accessible to the public.
“Taking form as an innovative and decentralised studio model to support environmental and economic sustainability, works will focus on sharing world-class knowledge, cultural and creative development and production.
“The community will be able to experience the creative works unfolding in Civic Square. The space will evolve to house workshops and activities as part of the Design Canberra Festival from 2-20 November 2022.
“The program is underpinned by creative research and works bound for national and international audiences from the ANU School of Art and Design into the city precinct. This will forge a strong connection between the City Centre, Craft ACT and the ANU education precinct that the community can engage and interact with.”
Second Space will be expanded across the City Centre. Property owners are encouraged to join the conversation to activate more spaces and encourage long-term investment.
For more information about Second Space in Civic Square and the Authority’s approach, visit Second Space - City Renewal (act.gov.au)
Quotes attributable to Malcolm Snow, CEO, City Renewal Authority
“The establishment of this new partnership with ANU School of Art and Design, Craft ACT and the Cultural Facilities Corporation offers an exciting new prospect for the activation of Civic Square and extends across our City Centre. By engaging our local creative industry and businesses to repurpose vacant tenancies and buildings, we can increase their visibility and transform them into vibrant places of curiosity and creativity for all to enjoy. This is turn will drive investment opportunity and social benefits for the Canberra community.”
Quotes attributable to Associate Professor Rebekah (Beck) Davis, Head of School Art and Design, Australian National University
“The School of Art & Design welcomes the Second Space placemaking initiative. Second Space is a fantastic, novel concept that makes creativity visible. Co-led by ANU School of Art & Design academic Lucy Irvine, this collaboration includes the ANU School of Art and Design Studio, a space to share new and experimental art and design projects. The public will be able to see works-in-progress by academics, artists and designers. We look forward to seeing the projects evolve and the creative impact that is achieved. Well done to all involved in making this collaboration a reality!”
Quotes attributable to Lucy Irvine, Lecturer, Textiles, School of Art and Design, Australian National University
“This pilot project was borne out of the need for more creative spaces in city. To be able to share this space with my School of Art and Design colleagues is so exciting. We will get to learn and to make alongside each other- and for the public to have a snap shot of that process speaks of great things to come and an enriched community on multiple levels.”
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases