Renew Australia is a social enterprise that has grown out of the success of Renew Newcastle, an inspiring project exploring “City revitalisation through creative use of empty space.”
This March 12-14, Renew Australia will be holding the exciting Creating Spaces Community Renewal Conference in Newcastle which aims to “bring together regional-based community leaders from across Australia who are passionate about renewal and creativity, and interested in reactivating spaces within their own communities.”
Thanks to funding provided by the federal government Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Art and Sport (testament to the strength of this great initiative, plus OMG what an insane department!) some lucky individuals from regional areas around the country are being sent to represent their communities. I am chuffed to say that one of these is me!
I will also be joined by other BAA members who applied and got free rego – fab lady Ailsa Brackley Du Bois, Haydn Smith, intrepid Vice President and BAA and Andrew Gray trusty BAA Treasurer.
The conference schedule includes keynote speakers, group workshops, panels, a walking tour to see Renew Newcastle projects, lunches and evening receptions. Special guest speakers include Marcus Westbury (founder of Renew Newcastle) and Dan Thompson from the UK (Empty Shops Network).
I can’t wait to join my ‘urban renewal peers’ and share expertise and ideas, then bring it all back to B’town!
To find out more, check out this video about Marcus Westbury and the Renew initiative. It is super inspiring and demonstrates the way arts can lead the way to revitalising cities.
DIY transforming a dying city from Marcus Westbury on Vimeo.
As representatives of Ballarat Arts Alive and the arts community in this region please feel free to leave any comments or drop us an email with anything you’d like us to find out, ask etc : ). Make a comment below or email info@baa.mx
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