2018 09 September ARTEFACT single Page Print res

WHAT IS BALLARAT EVOLVE?
Ballarat Evolve is a trial program supported by the Ballarat Arts Foundation. This program is investigating the sustainability of
linking private businesses with micro-creative enterprises and artists, and permitting access to empty retail spaces throughout the
regional city’s central business district - focusing on fast tracking the city’s evolution.
WHAT IS THE REASON FOR BALLARAT EVOLVE?
Taking learnings from the hugely successful Renew Newcastle and Renew Australia initiatives, and relying upon the advice and
guidance of Arts Law Centre of Australia, Ballarat Evolve was borne out of genuine interest from local traders. Interested groups
started to notice the changing profile of the inner city streets, and a private initiative was undertaken. Volunteers logged empty
retail environments in a selected area of the CBD, noting those buildings highlighted with a ‘For Lease’, ‘For Sale’ and those which
were clearly empty. This was matched with attitudinal research of 220 individuals living, using and working in the heart of the city.
“62% of people believe there are fewer people shopping in the heart of Ballarat compared to a year ago.”
— Ballarat Public Use Survey, Feb 2018
“87% of those who live and work in Ballarat believe that there are many empty shops in the heart of the city.”
— Ballarat Public Use Survey, Feb 2018
WHY IS THE BALLARAT ARTS FOUNDATION INVOLVED?
The Ballarat Arts Foundation was approached with the concept to support a trial, investigating the feasibility of placing creative arts
practitioners and small businesses into identified empty retail environments. Ballarat Arts Foundation, as the city’s primary grantmaker
to the creative and arts community, has agreed to support the project’s trial till the end of December 2018. The Ballarat
Arts Foundation will assess applicants, and coordinate the profiling matching of applicants to suitable locations in conjunction with
the landlords and their representative agents. It is hoped that following the review period, the program will be established as an
ongoing concern.
WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED?
Ballarat Evolve is supported by a range of different private bodies, including real estate agents Colliers International and legal
teams offering their services pro-bono.
“56% of respondents disagree that the centre of Ballarat is vibrant and lively.””
— Ballarat Public Use Survey, Feb 2018
“84% of people in Ballarat believe that empty retail shops should be made available to micro-businesses and enterprises.
”
— Ballarat Public Use Survey, Feb 2018
APPLYING TO BE A PART OF THE BALLARAT EVOLVE TRIAL
FOR ARTISTS
We are currently seeking creative industries, artists and makers to put themselves forward for consideration. The trial will be small
and tightly managed, so we would encourage you not to be disappointed should you not be successful on this occasion. Please
submit your Expression of Interest, and we will coordinate interviews and appointments with those who are successful.
www.ballaratartsfoundation.org.au/evolve-ballarat/
FOR LANDLORDS
We are seeking submissions from landlords with properties in the Ballarat Central region that have proven difficult to lease. We
seek the support of property owners who have vacant buildings to make them available for this project trial, adding them to our
existing list of properties under consideration.
www.ballaratartsfoundation.org.au/evolve-ballarat/
62 September 2018 ARTeFACT Newsletter