Stonnington is calling on the community and creative industries to help shape the transformation of the Prahran Town Hall into an arts and cultural hub.
It’s a move the City believes will help re-position Prahran as one of Melbourne’s cultural engine rooms.
In April 2023, Council endorsed a vision to explore options to transform the Town Hall into a cultural hub. The intention is to open the site up to creative businesses and organisations and establish a place for the sector south of the Yarra.
This could include performance or gallery spaces, artist studios, workshops, and office space for cultural organisations. A business case is currently being developed to support potential funding opportunities.
“We’re inviting our community and Melbourne’s creative industries to share with us what’s important to them, what they would like to see in the space, and what would make them want to embrace this opportunity,” City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Joe Gianfriddo said.
“Reimaging the Town Hall as a centre of art, culture and community will reestablish the Prahran neighbourhood as one of Melbourne’s critical cultural hubs, aligning with Council and the Victorian Government’s priorities and commitment to the Prahran education and arts precinct.”
The cultural hub will include a creativity-focused library and greater representation of First Nations culture and living traditions.
Sector and creative organisation leaders will have the opportunity to tour the site’s various spaces, meet with Council officers, and explore possible options for activation in the short and long term. Tours are taking place on:
- 21 March 2024 at 10am
- 22 March 2024 at 3pm
- 25 March 2024 at 10am.
Registrations can be made at: https://connectstonnington.vic.gov.au/pth
