UPDATE 8pm: Work will continue on the development of the Bendigo Creative Industries Hub, despite the lead organisation withdrawing from the project and the space slated to house the venture still sitting empty.
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The government body Creative Victoria says it will talk to stakeholders about the future of the hub.
"While we are disappointed that CoCreate Group are no longer prepared to partner with us on the Bendigo Creative Industries Hub, we're looking at what this means for the precinct and will be talking to stakeholders about a way forward," a Creative Victoria spokesperson said.
"The Hub is set to present a series of events, including a Creative State Summit satellite event, in the coming months to be part of the planning for the creative industries future in the central Victorian region."
CoCreate Group director Kir Larwill said withdrawing from the hub project was an "immensely hard decision" to make, as the organisation believed in the hub and "its capacity to support and accelerate the growth and professionalisation of entrepreneurial creatives in Bendigo and surrounds".
"This was significantly amplified by the many insightful and generous contributions from local creatives, business and community, and the promise of, and power found in, genuine collaborative relationships," Ms Larwill said.
"We wish the community, Bendigo Creative Industries Hub and Creative Victoria all the best.
"We are sure the Hub will realise its immense and profound potential, due in large part to the huge capacity and depth of talent of creative business in our region."
It is not yet known why the CoCreate Group withdrew from the project and a request for comment on this matter was declined.
Preliminary work on the ground floor of the Morley Johnson building, which was leased for the hub nine months ago, is expected to take place over the next six to eight weeks.
Creative Victoria will manage the hub until another operator is found.
EARLIER 9.14am: The group tasked with operating the Bendigo Creative Industries Hub has withdrawn from the project.
The CoCreate Group confirmed the decision on Friday morning.
"We hope the connections we have made will be a foundation for other arts and business collaborations to come," the group said in an email.
The hub, which will be housed in the ground floor of the Morley Johnson building in Mitchell Street, was first announced by the state government in April 2016, as part of the Creative State strategy.
It is intended to be a co-working space for creative practitioners and businesses from across the region, with programs to facilitate collaboration and networking.
A year after the hub was announced, members of Bendigo's artistic community told the Bendigo Advertiser they remained in the dark about the project.
An information and discussion session was held in June 2017, but it was not until last July that a location and operator were revealed.
The ground floor of the Morley Johnson building remains empty.
More to come.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
