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.
