Arts plan outlined

The State Government has created plans for the future of the Arts Precinct in Southbank with a grand plan to transform the area from a collection of arts institutions into a connected precinct.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint was released in February and outlines what our much-loved precinct will look like in the future and how it will be achieved.

Already one of the major objectives – converting the police stables into space for the Victoria College of the Arts (VCA) – is being funded, and there is much more transformation in store for the precinct.

The overall goal is to give the precinct a common feel, so that guests know that the whole area is related. The precinct will be within St Kilda Rd, Coventry St, Kingsway and City Rd (also encompassing the Arts Centre and Federation Square).

The blueprint highlights the lack of street life and cohesion between institutions as one if the major issues and hopes to bring them together.

“Unlike other city destinations like Chinatown, Lygon St and Brunswick St, the Arts Precinct is not in the average person’s consciousness as a destination in its own right,” the report claims.

“There has been an absence of a shared vision for the area, partially due to the lack of dedicated precinct marketing plan. Arts organisations have been encouraged to establish in the neighbourhood, but no single body is charged with the overall branding or marketing of the area.”

In answer to other issues raised by stakeholders, the blueprint also outlines ways to; Bring life to the streets, create a Melbourne experience, more to see and do and make connections.

In addition to the Police Stables, the blueprint also outlines potential arts-based redevelopment for 1 City Rd (currently the site of “Testing Grounds”), Victoria Barracks and the Fosters building.