THE MISSING PIECE
Melbourne’s arts precinct, with its galleries, recital centre and theatres, is world renowned.
We just need one more piece to complete it – a centre for young artists.
The Youth Arts Precinct will be a place young artists can call their own. A place where they can learn, practice and perform. A place dedicated to developing the creative abilities of performers and the creative industry professionals of the future.
A place where Victoria can nurture the talent of tomorrow.
The project has the strong support of the Victorian Government, in particular Minister for Education James Merlino and local member and Minister for Health Martin Foley.
A WORLD -CLASS DESIGN
Graham Burrows of award-winning architecture firm Jackson Clements Burrows Architects has personally designed the space to make this a world-class facility.
His design cleverly orientates the precinct towards the wonderful Gasworks Arts Park, and extensive use of glass walls will make performance and rehearsal spaces open and inviting to the whole community.
The site’s nineteenth century industrial landscape has been sensitively incorporated into the design, while a transparent floating roof will bring all the elements together.
What is now neglected, semi-industrial land will be given new life and purpose, under the guidance of heritage and history experts John Briggs Architects.
A COLLABORATION BY LEADING SCHOOLS
The Youth Arts Precinct will be managed jointly by two leading schools with a passion for the arts: Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and Albert Park College (APC).
The precinct will be located in Gasworks Arts Park, close to APC and it will be linked to VCASS and the Melbourne Arts precinct by a five-minute ride on the No. 1 tram.
As well as training and educating the talent of the future, the precinct will work in conjunction with Victoria’s broader arts community to host youth theatre, musicals, exhibitions, dance, movie productions and musical performances.
A HOME FOR
YOUNG ARTISTS
This will be a home like no other for Victoria’s creative young people, but it will also welcome anyone who enjoys the wonder, creativity, diversity and personal growth made possible by the arts.
In the mornings, the precinct will fill with students, teachers, artists, musicians and mentors. As the day unfolds, it will transform into a mecca for community youth arts groups, independent theatres and production companies, featuring emerging artists from across Victoria and attracting young talent from across the nation.
Its location and the diversity of its productions will provide a wonderful training ground for young artists, giving them the opportunity to exhibit work and perform in front of large audiences.
Professional artists, visiting entertainers, philanthropists and the business community with a passion for the arts will be welcome to use the facility and help inspire the young.
TWO THEATRES
The inclusion of two theatres will allow multiple productions at any one time and give the precinct the capacity to host 50 or more major productions each year.
A main theatre with seating for more than 350 will have a generous stage, suitable for big youth productions. A studio theatre will host rehearsals, training and more intimate events.
STATE
OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY
Each theatre will incorporate the very latest in lighting, audio, digital projection, 3D and stage technologies – a perfect training ground for the entertainment industry jobs of the future.
BACK OF HOUSE
CAPABILITY
Generous rehearsal and music practice facilities will make the precinct an unmatched location for the young to develop their craft.
A green room, large backstage spaces, box office, café and rooftop garden complete the picture.
PERFORMING ARTS
TRAINING CENTRE
A two-storey training centre with specialist teaching areas will develop the performing arts talent of the future.
Facilities will include sprung dance floors, high ceilings and rehearsal spaces.
SPACE TO SHOW YOUR WORK!
The design orientates the precinct to the wonderful Gasworks Arts Park and includes indoor and outdoor areas to exhibit visual artwork.