A PLACE to unite Bendigo's most creative people is a step closer, with a steering committee formed to guide the new hub at the old Morley's Emporium building.
The state government has launched ten member committee, which will now officially be known as The Studio.
Bendigo needs this hub, committee member and photographer Leah Ladson said.
"Being a sole trader is so isolating when you are a creative entrepreneur," she said.
"You tend to spend a lot of time on your own. There is nothing like the creative co-working space that The Studio will become."
Morley's will also house events for artists, photographers, musicians and "anyone, really, who needs that space," Ms Ladson said.
All on the new committee have deep connections with the creative industry through grassroots organisations, innovative businesses or arts education, minister for creative industries Martin Foley said.
Ms Ladson herself runs a 150-person business network in Bendigo called Girls from the Go and feels her new position on the committee allows her to advocate for them.
"I would say the majority of Girls from the Go members are in the creative space," she said.
"The reason I started the group in the first place is that when I began my business I'd go out on photo shoots and meet people who would tell me the same thing - that it can be really isolating being in business by yourself."
The Studio's program director David Hughes wants to bounce ideas off the advisory committee in the new year, especially ones that would help people develop their businesses and to be inspired by new ideas.
"I'm really keen on them having a look at the programming I've come up with and having input into that as local creatives," he said.
"I want to know what they think is of value, or what they think would have been of value when they were starting out."
Morley's should see building works in the early new year, Mr Hughes said.
The Studio is expecting to finalise a contract for the fit out finalised this week.
The building will have different spaces for a myriad of conversations, Mr Hughes said.
"You get a lot of creative people in at the same time ... and see the projects that start happening. I am really excited by that."
The new advisory committee is comprised of:
- David Burton - Arts education practitioner
- Louise Fisher - Graphic designer and art director from Bendigo graphic design studio The Design Pond
- Steve Lane - Video producer, sound engineer and songwriter
- Leah Ladson - Photographer and founder of women in small business network Girls from the Go
- Tamara Marwood - Creative director of strategic consulting agency Create Business
- Caleb Maxwell - Co-founder of Bendigo-based film studio Hebron Films
- Katy Morrison - Co-founder and producer at virtual reality studio VRTOV, manager of not-for-profit art and technology organisation Frame Ltd
- Aymii Hansen - Taungurung woman, artist and curator. Founder of Aboriginal owned and operated art company Jumbarrawa
- Bryley Savage - Creative Director of communications and marketing agency, Friendly Savage, and
- Patrick Thwaites from not for profit association for artists and creatives Bendigo Artists Inc
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
