Creative Spaces program 2021 Guidelines - Shop 5

Creative Spaces program
                          2021 Guidelines
                                          Shop 5
                             240 Little Collins Street

                                            Timeline

                          Applications open          Tuesday 2 February 2021
                          Applications close         2pm, Friday 19 February 2021
                         Assessment period           Late February 2021
                   Notification to applicants        Early March 2021

DM14321493 Creative Spaces program 2021 Guidelines: Shop 5
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Introduction
Creative Spaces is a program of the City of Melbourne’s Creative City branch which provides
space for artists and creative practitioners to develop, practice, present and exhibit their
work, and responds to the City of Melbourne Council Plan 2017-21 goal of a Creative City.
Creative Spaces supports culturally diverse and/or emerging artists.

Creative Spaces manages the Shop 5 shopfront. Shop 5 is located on the corner of Little
Collins St and Royal Lane, near Swanston Street.

Background
COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on Melbourne’s businesses and communities. Under
the City of Melbourne’s Reactivation and Recovery Plan, Council has been working to ‘adapt
vacant spaces for flexible, creative and experimental uses’ to help support the city’s creative
community. Creative Spaces is proud to play a lead role in the city’s COVID-19 recovery by
giving opportunities to artists, who in turn can help reactivate and reinvigorate the city.

Suitability
Creative Spaces encourages artists and creatives from all disciplines looking for a space to
work, exhibit or sell their work to apply.
Applicants must refer to the Assessment Criteria on page 5 of this document before
submitting. All applications are assessed on their individual merits by a three-person
assessment panel. Desirable applications include:

       Availability for public access or participation
       Strong visual presence
       Dynamic content
       Engaging content

Specifications

       Main internal area 30m2
       Rear carpeted area is approximately 24m2
       Rear storage area with shelving
       Normal hours of access 7am-7pm
       Approximately 3m ceilings
       Stair access to storage area (no disabled access)
       Disabled toilet access via laneway
       Load-in/out by negotiation only (to be kept at a minimum)
       Central air-conditioning

Excessively messy work or excessively loud practises are not permitted. The space must not
be damaged or altered.

Available dates (inclusive of bump in and bump out):
6 months*, Tuesday 9 March – Tuesday 31 August 2021

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*The opportunity may be extended on a month by month basis following 31 August
dependent on the City of Melbourne’s requirements. The above dates may be amended at
the discretion of Creative Spaces. Following 31 August (if a month by month arrangement is
enacted) the occupants will be notified with 4 weeks’ notice to vacate.

Applying as a group
Creative Spaces welcomes individual and group applications. Groups are required to submit
a single application.

Support material
Artistic and other support material is a critical part of an application and reviewed as part of
the assessment process. Applicants should consider quality of support material over
quantity, only including material that is relevant and strengthens the proposal.

     Examples of support material:
      Key artist CV summaries
      Images/video/audio files, web links and descriptions of current, proposed or past
        works
      Peer/industry support letters (up to three consolidated into the one attachment)

Support material must be in a format compatible with the following software applications:
Microsoft Office 2010, Adobe Acrobat Reader version 17, Adobe Flashplayer version 32,
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11, Microsoft Windows Media Player version 12.
Recommended file types are jpg for images and pdf, doc or docx for documents.

Sustainable practice
Applicants are encouraged to use resources wisely in the creation and delivery of their work.

How to apply
1.   Read the guidelines and application criteria thoroughly and preview the application form.
2.   Contact the Creative Spaces team with any queries on (03) 9658 9893 or
     creativespaces@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
3.   Allow ample time to plan, gather support material and to draft your application (save as
     you go).
4.   Complete and submit an online application through SmartyGrants (with required
     attachments) by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.

Assessment process
        Applications are assessed by a panel.
        Unsuccessful applicants are eligible to re-apply in future rounds.
        Applications are kept confidential and the contents will not be disclosed to any
         person outside the application and assessment process.
        The City of Melbourne does not seek to correct errors in applications or supporting
         material. Applications are assessed as they have been submitted.
        The City of Melbourne reserves the right to request further information in considering
         any application, as well as the right to reject any application that is ineligible or does
         not meet the assessment criteria.
        All applicants will be notified of the result of their application via email.

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Terms and conditions
Applicants are required to comply with the following terms and conditions:
    Permitted use of Shop 5 is for creative industries use only.
    This opportunity is for an in-kind offer of creative space. No transfer of money or
       grant is attached to this opportunity.
    Applicants must comply with all local laws
    Conduct a site visit pre-arranged with the Creative Spaces team, or independently
       (externally accessible 24/7)
    Please contact Creative Spaces to discuss your project if sound or light practises will
       be proposed, including the use of audio, amplified music or sound/light emitting
       practises such as projection art.
    If successful, attend a site induction prior to your bump-in date.
    Successful applicants will allow City of Melbourne to conduct inspections and
       walkthroughs as required.
    Excessively messy work or excessively loud practises are not permitted.
    The space must not be damaged or altered.
    The shop front area should be made available to the public where possible.
    Office or fabrication based work may only be conducted in the rear carpeted area.
    Normal hours of access 7am-7pm. Extended hours can be negotiated.

Costs
Rental fees do not apply for the duration of the occupancy at Shop 5, however successful
applicants will be responsible for power connection and usage costs.

Applicants are responsible for all costs and resources associated with creating, developing,
installing and removing work/equipment in the space.

Creative Spaces provides the following at no cost:

       One printed text decal* for the front door containing artist name/s and title of work.
       Installation and removal of decals.
       Cross promotion of your activity on Creative Spaces social platforms.

*Creative Spaces creates decals using the content supplied by artists. All decals remain
property of Creative Spaces.

Interpreter and translation services
Our multilingual information telephone service provides access to translators and information
in different languages.

Accessibility for applicants with disability
Applicants with disability are encouraged to contact staff to discuss any specific needs or
additional support that may be required to complete and submit an application.

If you are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired contact us via the National Relay
Service on 133 677 (ask for 03 9658 9658).

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Technical assistance
Refer to the Help Guide for SmartyGrants technical assistance. The SmartyGrants support
desk is open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 03 9320 6888 or by email
service@smartygrants.com.au.

Assessment criteria
Applicants will be assessed against the following:

1. Creative and contextual
     The proposals ability to enliven shop frontage
     Boldness and experimentation
     Strong ideas, narratives and stories
     Considered responses that suit the space
     Level of public access/engagement

2. Viability
     Achievable timeline
     Proposed installation and/or presentation method
     Relevant and appropriate support material provided
     Achievable with COVIDSafe measures in place
     If working in a collaboration, key artists are cited
     Evidence of appropriate cultural permissions

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