The regions first creative incubator, The Refinery, is set to launch in February and has been developed to help local creatives turn their ideas into sustainable and successful businesses.
A joint initiative by some of the region’s most creative organisations, Sunshine Coast Council, SunCentral Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance, The Refinery is designed to support independent artists, creative technologists, early-stage entrepreneurs and creative industries practitioners.
Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance president Phil Smith said The Refinery would help participants gain access to world class industry mentors, immerse themselves in workshops and networking opportunities and unlock seed funding to help turn their ideas into reality.
“We know there are brilliant creatives in our community with ideas that could be transformed into scalable businesses, but they just need mentoring and support to make it happen,” Mr Smith said.
“That’s why we created The Refinery, and I’m so excited to be launching it as a first for the Sunshine Coast region.
“We’ll kick off with a boot camp in April which will give creatives the opportunity to have their proposed project evaluated.
“Selected participants will then immerse themselves in the creative incubator space and be taken on an eight-week journey to develop their idea, ready for a public pitch event where they will be vying for an investment in their business idea.
“Following the incubator, The Refinery and our partners will offer ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities and links to accelerator programs.
“I can’t wait to see the ideas that develop and the incredible opportunities the program will unlock for our local creatives.”
Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said The Refinery could potentially fast track creative sector start-ups and act as a hot house for new ideas generated by our local arts sector.
“The creative sector is critical to council’s vision of delivering a healthy, smart and creative region,” Cr Baberowski said.
“The Refinery will not only help to hold creative talent here on the Sunshine Coast and also attract new creatives to the region.”
The Refinery will be delivered in the new Maroochydore City Centre Creative Precinct.
